Service at All Saints Church 4th February 11am
This week the Church celebrates Candlemas which commemorates the occasion when the Virgin Mary, in obedience to Jewish law, went to the Temple in Jerusalem to be purified 40 days after the birth of her son Jesus and to present him to God as her firstborn. Hence it is always celebrated on February 2nd.
Before the Church adopted this day as a Christian Festival, it was known as the ‘Feast of Light’ as it falls halfway between the longest day and the Spring equinox and it celebrated the increased strength of the sun.
Tradition says that manger scenes in churches should not be put away until Candlemas, which is the last feast of the Christmas cycle. It was the day when all the candles that were to be used during the coming year were brought into the church and blessed. Hence the Festival or Mass for the candles became known as Candlemas.
Of course for Christians, it’s significance is not so much the increased strength of the sun but rather that the true light of the world had come and as he was made known in the presentation at the temple, so he burst forth into a dark world!
For someone who struggles with the lack of sunlight in the winter, I love Candlemas and try to keep my Christmas lights up until then. I also like to fill the house with candles, as it reminds me that one day soon, all darkness will be swallowed up as we behold the Light of Christ when we, like Simeon, meet God face to face.
For more blogs and details of our Church activities check out our webpage http://wickhammarketchurch.org