Candlemas, or The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, is celebrated on February 2 by various Christian denominations, including Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, Lutheran, and some Eastern Orthodox Churches. This feast commemorates the moment when Mary brought her son Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem for purification, in accordance with Jewish law, 40 days after his birth. The event is detailed in the Gospel of Luke, where Simeon, a devout man, recognizes Jesus as the Messiah and proclaims Him as a light for the Gentiles and the glory of Israel. Candlemas has roots dating back to the fourth century CE, particularly in the eastern Roman Empire, and was established in the western church by the seventh century. The name "Candlemas" comes from the tradition of blessing candles on this day, which became prominent around the 11th century, especially in England. The practice of using lighted candles may have origins in ancient Roman customs, linking the celebration to themes of purification and light. Additionally, Candlemas marks the end of the Christmas season, and its weather-related traditions are associated with the more contemporary observance of Groundhog Day. This rich tapestry of history and ritual highlights Candlemas as a significant event in the Christian liturgical calendar.
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Candlemas, or The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Candlemas, or the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, sometimes also referred to as the Feast of the Purification of Mary, is observed on February 2 by the Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, Lutheran, and some Eastern Orthodox Churches. The feast celebrates the occasion when Mary, as required by Jewish law, went to the temple in Jerusalem to be purified 40 days after giving birth to a son and to present that son, Jesus, to God. The event is described in the second chapter of Luke.
At the time, Simeon, a holy man living in Jerusalem, had been longing for the appearance of the Messiah and, as the King James version of the Bible relates:
It was revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, 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…Mary marveled at those things which were spoken of him; And Simeon blessed them.
Candlemas was celebrated in very early times, the fourth century BCE. or earlier, by Christians in the eastern part of the Roman Empire. When December 25 was designated as the anniversary of the Nativity, or Christmas day, Candlemas became fixed at February 2 because it was 40 days after the celebration of the birth of Christ just as Mary had brought the baby Jesus to the temple 40 days after giving birth.
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord was introduced into the Western church and adopted at Rome in the seventh century CE. The blessing of candles became commonplace about the 11th century, especially in England, where it was a major ceremony, thus giving the day its name of Candlemas (Candle mass). Authorities differ on how the day came to be connected with lighted candles. The candle-carrying ceremonies seem to have been derived from ancient Roman customs. One plausible theory holds that Candlemas grew out of the Roman Feast of Purification, when Romans paraded about the city of Rome with lighted candles early in February. The Roman feast was for the goddess Ceres, who according to legend sought her daughter Proserpine by candlelight after Pluto, the god of the underworld, had carried her away to the nether realm of darkness. According to this theory, the church fathers simply modified the pagan Roman custom, which they found difficult to root out, so that it honored Christ the Light of the World and Mary, his mother.
For many years, February 2 was regarded as the close of the Christmas season, when Yuletide decorations had to be removed to prevent bad luck. Candlemas was also long regarded as a particularly favorable day for weather prognostications, and the traditions associated with Groundhog Day derive from this fact.
Bomparo, John. "Ever Heard of Candlemas?" 1517, 19 Jan. 2024, www.1517.org/articles/ever-heard-of-candlemas. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
Pirtle, Carolyn. "What Is Candlemas and How to Observe It?" McGrath Institute for Church Life, University of Notre Dame, 3 Jan. 2019, mcgrathblog.nd.edu/what-is-candlemas-and-how-to-observe-it. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
Stroka, Mary. "A Day of Light: Candlemas Celebrates the Light of the World." National Catholic Register, 31 Jan. 2023, www.ncregister.com/features/a-day-of-light-candlemas-celebrates-the-light-of-the-world. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.