40 days ago we celebrated the fact of the Incarnation of the Eternal Word of God, Emmanuel, whom we call Jesus. Today's liturgical observance of Candelmas --the Encounter with the Lord-- recalls our great joy and we're told what our joy is about by Saint Leo the Great: "Our Savior was born today: let us be glad. For there
is no proper place for sadness, when we keep the birthday of the Life, which
destroys the fear of mortality and brings to us the joy of promised eternity."
