Candlemas is Coming

This Saturday (2/2) is Candlemas, and right on its heels comes Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, fully immersing us in Lent. I want to start planning for this feast now, lest it is passed over too lightly, which can easily happen here on a Saturday.

Let’s not allow any furry beast in Punxsutawney distract us from this beautiful feast day!

40 days have passed since Christmas, and though in the current liturgical calendar the Christmas season ends on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, traditionally it encompassed all 40 days until February 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. Alternatively, it was known as the Feast of the Purification of Our Lady. And in the Middle Ages, when time was marked by days with lovely-sounding names like Michaelmas and Martinmas, it was also known as Candlemas; on this day, candles were blessed to bring home, to remind us of Simeon’s words, “He shall be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people, Israel.” Beautiful.

It’s this intrinsic loveliness and the wisdom of the Church calendar continually bringing these events before us that impel us to celebrate them in our homes. And we choose activities that will help children focus on the important facets of each feast.

In our family, we can always get their attention with food and fire.

There are three mysteries here on which we focus: 

Purification – According to the Book of Leviticus, The priest shall make atonement for her sin, and thus she will be made clean. Mary, of course, did not have an objective “need” to be purified, as she remained a virgin even in childbirth. But her humility compelled her to observe the letter of the law; no shortcuts or bending of the rules.

Presentation – Several prophets had foretold that the Temple’s greatest glory would be the day the Messiah appeared within it and revealed Himself. One of the Antiphons for this feast says, “Zion, prepare your wedding chamber to receive Christ the King.” Today Jesus enters His Father’s house for the first time. According to the Law, every firstborn son was “holy to the Lord” and was to be brought to the Temple and redeemed with an offering. This presentation is aligned with the Offertory of the Mass, as His crucifixion and death is one with the consecration and elevation. Today, the Lamb of God is offered to the Father; 33 years later, this offering will be completed by His death.

Simeon and Anna – These two devout and aging souls have spent long years praying and yearning for the coming of the Messiah, and today they are given the grace to recognize Him in the arms of the poor parents offering turtledoves as a sin-offering. Simeon foretells the sword that will pierce the Mother’s heart; his Nunc Dimittis is part of the Church’s Night Prayer:

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people: a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.

We pray this as servants as well, grateful for the gifts of the day, equally willing to accept our own leaving of this life. Like Simeon, we hold Christ in our arms – in faith, in grace, and in the sacraments.

Candles remind us that we always have Emmanuel – God is with us in Word, in Sacrament, and in grace.

Now around here, candles are always big news; their enchantment never seems to wear thin, nor does the clamor about whose turn it is to blow them out seem to become less animated. On Candlemas, everyone gets to blow out a candle, because everyone has a candle of their own. That they made. With their own hands. They are simple and don’t last that long, but that’s ok. We like these. Sufficiente. I love crafting, but I can't always get myself ready for the noise and mess (and often frustration) of 7 or 8 of us creating elaborate things that we can't give as gifts! So I often opt for quick and simple, especially when there are a lot of other activities in a week (we DO have easy and unsupervised access to drawing, coloring, cutting, gluing and claying in this house though).

So on Saturday, Mom will (God willing) get up and go to early Mass and be home to make pancakes for brunch, because for some unknown reason, pancakes are traditional for this feast. We will do some reading and discussing of the event of the Presentation, pointing out the three mysteries above. Then we will make our own candles and set them aside for dinner, where they will be accompanied by turtledoves from the craft store for our centerpiece.

During dinner, we will share with Dad what we know, for review.After dinner, we will pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary and bedtime prayers by candlelight.

And then everyone will get to blow out their own candle ;).

Maybe you have ideas for this feast that you'd love to share?

Comments

[Diana K.]

Kathryn,

Is there anywhere local I could quickly get hold of some sheets of beeswax? We have had lots of appts this week....sort of snuck up on me.

Love your blog!
D.

[KathrynTherese]

In the past, I have found them at Michael's and Hobby Lobby, though this may not be consistent. I didn't order any either, and have been snowed in! I'm hoping to pick some up before Saturday.

If I can't find beeswax, I'm willing to make some other kind of candle with the kids, but I think a discussion of why the Church uses beeswax is in order while we make them, whatever material we use.

Incidentally, you can look up "candles" at newadvent.org for a thorough explanation of, well, candles; beeswax is discussed there.

A blessed Candlemas to you!