Candlemas

Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Presentation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the Temple:

And when the days of her purification according to the Law of Moses were accomplished, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord: "Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"), and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord: "A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." 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 he took 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 marveled 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 Asher. She was of great age and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years. She 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 spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Luke 2:22-38

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:5

Today is the traditional unofficial end of the Christmas season. This Sunday is Septuagesima Sunday, the start of preparation for Lent.

Ceremony Upon Candlemas Eve
Down with the rosemary, and so
Down with the bays and misletoe;
Down with the holly, ivy, all,
Wherewith ye dress'd the Christmas Hall:
That so the superstitious find
No one least branch there left behind:
For look, how many leaves there be
Neglected, there (maids, trust to me)
So many goblins you shall see.

Robert Herrick (A.D. 1591-1674)