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Candlemas: The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ
February 2, 2020 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am
On Sunday, February 2, we will celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ, also known as Candlemas, as the 10 am service.
Candlemas marks the ritual presentation of the baby Jesus to God in the Temple at Jerusalem 40 days after Christmas. The Gospel of Luke says that Jesus was met by Anna and Simeon. Simeon held the baby Jesus and called him a Light to the World. The festival is called Candlemas because this was the day that all the Church’s candles for the year were blessed. On Candlemas night, many people place lighted candles in their windows at home. Like some other Christian festivals, Candlemas draws elements from Paganism. In pre-Christian times, it was the festival of light. This ancient festival marked the mid point of winter, half way between the winter solstice (shortest day) and the spring equinox. Some people lit candles to scare away evil spirits on the dark winter nights. People believed that Candlemas predicted the weather for the rest of the winter:
If Candlemas Day be fair and bright, Winter will have another fight.
If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain, Winter won’t come again.
During the 10:00 Eucharist, our nursery is open, and children may attend church school classes. Music is led by organ and our popular choir.
