Candlemas feast day guide – All Saints Anglican Church

Candlemas - February 2

Celebrating Jesus revealed as the “light for revelation to the Gentiles”

The Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple

Also known as the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary or Candlemas, this feast falls exactly 40 days after Christmas, when, according to Leviticus 12:1–8, Mary would be ritually purified after childbirth. This is the third “Festival of Light” (Christmas and Epiphany are the first two), and Jesus is revealed as the “light for revelation to the Gentiles” and our Savior. The Feast of the Presentation is one of the oldest feast days from the ancient Christian Church, dating back to at least the fourth century.

Scriptures & Collect

Malachi 3:1-4
Ps 84
Heb 2:14-18
Luke 2:22-40

Almighty and everliving God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in the substance of our flesh, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Art

Fra Bartolommeo - The Scene of Christ in the Temple

suggested hymn

Of the Father’s Love Begotten

liturgical color

White: symbolizing the purity and light of Christ. It represents the arrival of Jesus Christ, who is seen as the "Light of the World" and the embodiment of purity and holiness. Jesus Christ is the righteous, immaculate, pure Savior. He is the light come into a dark and depraved world.

music

Listen to a setting of the Nunc Dimittis. This beautiful piece of liturgy is a part of Evening Prayer and comes from the words of the priest Simeon, who receives Jesus when he is brought to the temple (Luke 2:29-32).
- Latin Versions by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1567), Thomas Tallis (~1575), William Byrd (~1605), Gustav Holst (1915), Arvo Part (2001), Paul Smith (2019)
- English Version by Orlando Gibbons (1641) or Herbert Howells (1950)
For an Instrumental option, take a listen to ‘Presentation of Christ in the Temple’ Violin Sonata by Heinrich Biber from The Mystery Sonatas

Traditions

Since Jesus was revealed as the “light of the world,” candles play a considerable role in celebrating this feast. Make or decorate candles to be blessed by a priest or by your family. Eat a candlelit supper, or place your newly blessed candle on your prayer table as a reminder of the light of Christ coming into the world.

Eat crepes or pancakes, as their golden color and circular form recall the sun’s shape, reminding us of spring’s return after winter, and light triumphs over darkness.

Predict the weather. Yes, Groundhog day stems from this holy day. An old English song goes: "If Candlemas be fair and bright, / Come, Winter, have another flight; / If Candlemas bring clouds and rain, / Go, Winter, and come not again." This feast is halfway between the shortest day of the year (Winter solstice) and the Spring equinox. People used to predict how the rest of winter was going to be based on sun and shadows observed on this day. Additionally, it was once called Cross Day because it is the day we cross from Winter to Spring

Hunt for Snowdrop flowers. These flowers are called Candlemas Bells because they blossom at this time of year. They are a beautiful sign of hope, light, and life.

In some countries, Christians wait until this day to put away any lingering Christmas decorations. We typically leave up our lights until this day as this is the final Festival of Light.

More ideas HERE.

Church Calendar Resources

Book of Common Prayer, 2019, ACNA
Church Calendar Living channel on Slack
Explore the All Saints Church Calendar section of our website
Sacred Seasons by Danielle Hitchen
www.ashleytumlinwallace.com

Learn More about the Church Calendar