Meeting of the Lord Craft

On February 2, we'll be celebrating the Meeting (Presentation) of the Lord in the Temple.  This day is also sometimes referred to as Candlemas (which I love) because on this day prayer candles are blessed during the liturgy.  This feast day seems to me to be the somewhat forgotten feast of the major feasts of the Lord.  We've just finished celebrating Christmas, which took so much time and energy, followed by Theophany.  It is so easy to want to "take a break" and forget this feast.  However, this is an important and beautiful feast, and it is one we should commemorate with great joy.

            According to Jewish custom, and still today in some Orthodox churches, mother and child are kept away from the temple/church for 40 days after childbirth.  Thus, after 40 days after His birth, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to complete Mary's ritual purification and to perform the redemption of the firstborn, in obedience to the Law of Moses.  (Take note that we celebrate this feast 40 days after Christmas.)  It was at the Presentation that the Prophetess Anna and St. Symeon met the Lord. St. Symeon recognized Him as the Messiah, praying:

                        Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy         word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the          face of all people: a light to lighten the gentiles and to be the glory of Thy people      Israel (Luke 2:29-32).

This meeting marks a transition between the Old Testament and the New Testament fulfilled in Christ the Lord.  So, while the rest of the world has left the Christmas feast and forgotten about the baby Jesus, let us remember Him today and remember the promise and hope for salvation that His birth and presentation set in motion.

Since candles will be blessed on this day, we'll be making candle crafts to celebrate it.  Below you'll find two activities, one for older children and one for younger children.  After you make your candle, have it blessed.  Then, light the candle for a family meal or at family prayer time and allow your child to say the blessing or a special prayer.

Votive Holder

Supplies:

Glass jar or votive holder

Tissue paper, cut into 1 inch squares (or so)

Decoupage glue

Thumbnail icon of the Meeting ofthe Lord; hymns/prayers of the day

Scissors or paper cutter

Packing Tape (optional)

Blue transparent paint (optional)

Sequins, gems, etc (optional)

Directions:

1. Glue tissue paper to glass.

2. Cut out icon and glue over the tissue paper.  If the ink runs, start again and cover in packing tape.*  Repeat with prayers.

3. Glue icon to the glass and glue prayers opposite icon.

4. Paint any gaps and extra decorations of choice. (Optional)

* In the past, I have had trouble with homemade prints running when using the decoupage glue.  However, as Bumble Bee and I made the instructional video, I found that putting tape on both sides of the icon made it fall off the votive holder.  After making the video, I noticed that over the next 24 hours the blue from the tissue paper seemed to soak through when I covered only the front of the icon.  We did do one more test and found that our icon was okay with no protective covering this time.  It may be something about the particular glue, so try what feels best, and be prepared to alter course if need be.

Worldview: Power Politics of GMOs Destroying Our Well-Being

So it's been quite awhile since I've said anything on here.  I've been meaning to write a review of an awesome pizza place here in Chicago, and I will be doing that later this week.  What has finally motivated me enough to tap away at the keyboard is a podcast that I listened to earlier today.

Yesterday afternoon my husband had asked me if I had listened to the day's episode of Worldview on WBEZ.  I hadn't, and he told me that I really needed to listen because it touched on all of the things that make my blood boil.  He was certainly right.  For years now I have been flabbergasted and angry that big agro is allowed to create genetically modified seeds, patent them, and then nail small farmers to the wall and contaminate organic farms.

Well, it is well worth listening to Jerome McDonnell's interview with Dr. Vandana Shiva.  As much as this topics riles me up and makes me want to yell at the management of Monsanto and other big agro businesses, I have a bit of hope that with people like Dr. Shiva speaking out and working to stop them, we may eventually effect a change that will bring us more in line with nature and healthier lives.  If you're not convinced to give up 45 minutes of your time to listen, envision eating food that has been sprayed with agent orange... because we almost certainly are.

Now if you're ready for your blood to boil but have a little hope, too, take a listen. 

Then, you might follow up with this segment on eating organic.

When you're done check out Slow Foods. Even if you don't drop everything to become an activist, Slow Foods will keep you up to date on legislation that is being pushed through congress on this issue.  They even make it easy to contact your representatives and make your voice heard.