And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
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 the glory of thy people Israel.
And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Luke 2:25-40
Candlemas takes it’s name from the blessing of the candles on this day for use in the church throughout the coming year. It is also a celebration within the church of the presentation of Jesus in the temple.
“At the beginning of February, when the infant light of spring is greeted thankfully by the hoary winter earth, it seems fitting we should celebrate a candle Festival to remember that moment when the Light of the World was received into the Temple, when the old yielded to the new.”
“All Year Round”
Verse for Candlemas:
“If Candlemas Day be fair and bright
Winter will take another flight.
If Candlemas Day be cloud and rain
Winter is gone and will not come again.”
Ways in which to celebrate:
One would be to think of goals & things you would like to see happen in this New Year together, in this time of new beginnings, as the earth becomes spring again & do something to celebrate that.
Of course the major activity is usually candle making in some form - rolling candles, candle dipping or making earth candles outside in the ground & lighting them.
If the ground permits, tilling a plot for march planting.
The ground is covered in snow here, but we shall be cosied up, looking through our seed catalogues & making plans....
Dinner in candlelight - We shall light our birthday ring as well as all our home made candles.
Bake fresh bread & enjoy Vegetable soup or chowder & baked custards as your Candlemas meal.
We can also offer simply made stories & poems about our friends the bees & work with beeswax & honey in some way during the festival.
Most of my inspiration for this festival comes from “All Year Round” however I found this lovely Candlemas song from Our Little Nature Nest
What a lovely song! we shall certainly be singing this, as well as using the beautiful watercolour as inspiration for our own wet on wet on painting day.
Candlemas is a wonderful way to talk about my own relationship with the Lord with my girls - How Christ has promised to be our light in the darkness, that He lights my way & that He is the light - I am fully reliant upon Him. And for that I am fully thankful.
Happy Candlemas!
