Lord.
Hebrews 2.14–18
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.’
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.’
And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed – and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Luke 2.22–40
Post Communion
Lord, you fulfilled the hope of Simeon and Anna,
who lived to welcome the Messiah:
may we, who have received these gifts beyond words,
prepare to meet Christ Jesus when he comes
to bring us to eternal life;
for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever.
3 February
Seiriol
Abbot
Wales: V
If celebrated otherwise, Common of Religious
Seiriol (often known as Seiriol Wyn – ‘Seiriol the Fair’) was the son of Owain Danwyn ab Einion Yrth ap Cunedda Wledig. During the first half of the sixth century he became the founder and first abbot of Penmon in Anglesey. He also gave his name to Ynys Seiriol, to which he used to retire for periods of prayer and meditation. Another of Seiriol’s retreats was at Penmaenmawr. Sir John Wynn of Gwydir wrote that ‘this Seiriol had an hermitage at Penmaenmawr, and there had a chapel where he did bestow much of his time in prayers, the place being then an uncouth desert and unfrequented rock.’ An Anglesey tradition says that Seiriol’s soul friend was Cybi, and that the two holy men would meet at midday at the wells of Clorach, halfway between Penmon and Holyhead (Llangybi), to talk and pray together.
Collect
Almighty God, by whose grace Seiriol,
kindled with the holy fire of your love,
became a burning and a shining light in the Church;
inflame in us the same spirit of discipline and love,
that we may walk before you as children of the light;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
3 February
Anskar
White
Archbishop of Hamburg, Missionary in Denmark and Sweden
England: Lesser Festival
A native of Picardy, Anskar was a monk of Corbie near Amiens who, after the conversion of the King of Denmark to Christianity, went to Schleswig and attempted to start a Christian school there. He was expelled by the locals but went on to Sweden, where he is reputed to have built the first Christian church. In 832 he was consecrated Archbishop of Hamburg and sixteen years later became Archbishop of Bremen. He returned to Denmark to convert the King of Jutland. He preached widely throughout Scandinavia and was much-loved for his work with the poor and in mitigating the slave trade. He is the patron saint of Denmark and was popularly known as ‘The Apostle of the North’. He died in the year 865.
Collect
God of grace and might,
who sent your servant Anskar
to spread the gospel to the Nordic peoples:
raise up, we pray, in our generation
messengers of your good news
and heralds of your kingdom
that the world may come to know
the immeasurable riches of our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
A reading from the prophecy of Isaiah.
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
who brings good news,
who announces salvation,
who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’
Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices,
together they sing for joy;
for in plain sight they see
the return of the Lord to Zion.
Break forth together into singing,
you ruins of Jerusalem;
for
