Candlemas

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is steeped in history. It began in 4th-century Jerusalem, emphasizing Christ’s first offering to God and Mary’s purification, later spreading westward. By the Middle Ages, it became associated with the blessing and procession of candles, symbolizing Christ as the Light of the World. This tradition inspired the English name "Candlemas."

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In the Anglican tradition, Candlemas is an opportunity to reflect on Jesus as both the fulfillment of the Law and the hope of the nations. The 1979 Book of Common Prayer honors February 2 as a principal feast, emphasizing themes of light and revelation. Many parishes celebrate with a candlelit procession, a visual representation of Christ’s light moving through the world.

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This Sunday at the Church of the Atonement, we will bless candles for use in worship throughout the year. This blessing is a reminder of Christ’s enduring presence in our lives, symbolized in the flicker of candlelight during prayer. We process with candles, echoing Simeon and Anna’s joyful recognition of Christ’s arrival as the world’s Redeemer.

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Candlemas is also a transition liturgically as it marks the conclusion of the nativity cycle. After this feast, the Christmas decorations will come down. This year, as we celebrate Candlemas, may our candles shine brightly, not just in the sanctuary but in our daily lives. Let us, like Simeon, declare with joy: “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace...for my eyes have seen your salvation.”

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