St Luke's Church Eccleshill - Articles from "The Link"

A hymn for the Presentation

The church celebrates the “Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple” on 2nd February, which just happens to be on a Sunday this year. It’s the occasion when Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praises God (the “Nunc Dimitis” in Prayer Book Evensong) and Anna tells everyone about the Christ Child. You could almost call it the festival of the Thanksgiving and Blessing of the Baby Jesus, but for some reason (beyond me) it is commonly known as “Candlemas”, maybe because Jesus is “a light to lighten the Gentiles”?

There’s not a lot of music about this occasion, so I thought I’d write a few lines to a well-known tune. It goes to “Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer” - but it has the advantage that it’s about real people who really saw Jesus and really did recognise who we was. Come and join us on 2nd February as we sing it!

Hymn (Tune: Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer)

Simeon in the city,
a good and upright man was he.
God's Holy Spirit told him:
"Jesus Christ will come, you'll see.

Go in the temple building,
Christ the Lord will come today,
and when you see the baby
take him in your arms and say:

'Blessings on you, God's own Son,
You will be the sign,
You will call my people home,
You will make them mine alone.' "

Simeon blessed the baby:
"Jesus Christ the Lord you are,
You are the light of Israel,
You're Good News for near and far!"

Anna was in the temple,
where she used to spend each day,
waiting for God's Messiah,
taking lots of time to pray.

Anna was very old now -
eighty-four and on her own.
But with a life of worship,
she has found she's not alone.

Then the baby Jesus came
with his dad and mum.
Anna's heart began to sing:
"Jesus Christ is Lord and King!"

Anna told all the people:
"God's redeemer's here, it's true!
If you will trust in Jesus,
God will come and live in you."

John Hartley

	*St Luke's Church, Eccleshill - The Link* magazine** The Link is published monthly at 40p (Senior Citizens 35p), and we deliver free within the parish and post copies (at the reader's expense) to those who request it. Please contact us if you would like a free copy for a trial period. February 2000, Page 2.
Home Page. Index of articles. Hymns: index World Cup, Gabriel, Simeon, Pentecost. In this issue: (February 2003) Play in Zimbabwe? Hymn, Us & Methodists, Roof & Bibles, Sharon Peters. Music for this song.	A hymn for the Presentation The church celebrates the “Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple” on 2nd February, which just happens to be on a Sunday this year. It’s the occasion when Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praises God (the “Nunc Dimitis” in Prayer Book Evensong) and Anna tells everyone about the Christ Child. You could almost call it the festival of the Thanksgiving and Blessing of the Baby Jesus, but for some reason (beyond me) it is commonly known as “Candlemas”, maybe because Jesus is “a light to lighten the Gentiles”? There’s not a lot of music about this occasion, so I thought I’d write a few lines to a well-known tune. It goes to “Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer” - but it has the advantage that it’s about real people who really saw Jesus and really did recognise who we was. Come and join us on 2nd February as we sing it! Hymn (Tune: Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer) Simeon in the city, a good and upright man was he. God's Holy Spirit told him: "Jesus Christ will come, you'll see. Go in the temple building, Christ the Lord will come today, and when you see the baby take him in your arms and say: 'Blessings on you, God's own Son, You will be the sign, You will call my people home, You will make them mine alone.' " Simeon blessed the baby: "Jesus Christ the Lord you are, You are the light of Israel, You're Good News for near and far!" Anna was in the temple, where she used to spend each day, waiting for God's Messiah, taking lots of time to pray. Anna was very old now - eighty-four and on her own. But with a life of worship, she has found she's not alone. Then the baby Jesus came with his dad and mum. Anna's heart began to sing: "Jesus Christ is Lord and King!" Anna told all the people: "God's redeemer's here, it's true! If you will trust in Jesus, God will come and live in you." John Hartley
Top of page.	This web page was last updated on 4th February 2003, but the music link was added on 8th June 2005.