Candlemas is a Christian holiday celebrated on February 2nd. It commemorates the presentation of Jesus Christ at the Temple in Jerusalem and the Virgin Mary’s purification after giving birth to Jesus. Candlemas has its origins in ancient Israelite religious law and tradition. The holiday is mentioned in the Gospel of Luke 2:22-40.
According to the Law of Moses as recorded in Leviticus 12:1-8, after giving birth to a son, a Jewish woman was considered ritually unclean for 40 days. At the end of this purification period, she was required to present herself at the temple to offer a sacrifice. Luke 2:22-24 tells us that Mary and Joseph took the infant Jesus to the temple after her purification period to present him to the Lord and offer a sacrifice, which for the poor would be “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons” (Leviticus 12:8).
At the temple, Jesus was recognized and blessed by Simeon and Anna, two elderly and devout Jews who had been waiting for the promised Messiah (Luke 2:25-38). Simeon praised God, saying he could now “depart in peace” after seeing the salvation of Israel. His words are part of a canticle said daily at night prayer in many Christian traditions, known as the Nunc Dimittis (“Now you dismiss”). Anna, a prophetess, “began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38).
The presentation of Jesus at the temple is considered one of the Seven Feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Pope Innocent XII established its date as February 2 in the 16th century as part of the Roman Rite. He shifted the feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary, which used to fall on February 14, to February 2 so it would not be linked with the pagan celebrations of Lupercalia.
The holiday is known by several names in the Christian tradition:
- The Presentation of Our Lord
- The Presentation of Christ in the Temple
- The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- The Meeting of Our Lord
In addition to commemorating Jesus’ presentation at the temple, Candlemas also celebrates the ritual purification of Mary after childbirth and her obedience to the Mosaic law. Mary submits herself in obedience and humility to the requirements of the law, serving as an example for all Christians.
The Candlemas Ceremonies
There are several unique ceremonies associated with Candlemas:
- Candle Blessing and Procession – Catholics celebrate Candlemas with a blessing and procession of candles. The candles represent Christ, the light of the world. Worshippers carry candles in a procession that begins outside the church entrance. The candles are blessed and then taken inside in a celebration of Christ the light coming into the temple. Some churches ring their bells while the congregation processes into the church.
- Nunc Dimittis – Simeon’s prayer of praise, called the Nunc Dimittis or the Canticle of Simeon, is sung at Candlemas services. This canticle from Luke 2 proclaims that Simeon can “now depart in peace” after seeing the Messiah that would be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Luke 2:29-32).
- Presentation readings – The Scripture passages read at Candlemas focus on the presentation narrative in Luke 2:22-40. It is customary for worshippers to hold lit candles during the reading of the Nunc Dimittis.
Traditions and Symbolism
Various folk traditions have developed around Candlemas over the centuries:
- Removing Christmas decorations – It is customary in some European cultures to take down Christmas decorations on Candlemas, exactly 40 days after Christmas.
- Weather predictions – An English proverb says, “If Candlemas be fair and bright, Winter has another flight. If Candlemas brings clouds and rain, Winter will not come again.” In other words, a sunny Candlemas means more winter to come.
- Groundhog Day – The Pennsylvania Dutch introduced the concept of Groundhog Day to America in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was thought that if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on Candlemas saw its shadow due to clear weather, there would be six more weeks of winter.
- Crepes – In some European countries, Candlemas is associated with crepes or pancakes, symbolizing the sun’s return and the round earth. Families traditionally eat crepes after the Candlemas Mass.
Candlemas has rich symbolism in the history of the church. Significant symbols associated with the holiday include:
- Light – Jesus is called the Light of the World and Simeon describes seeing God’s salvation in the baby Jesus. Candles represent that Jesus brought the light of salvation.
- Doves – The doves offered in sacrifice represent the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus in baptism and God’s blessing on him at his presentation in the temple.
- Purification – Mary’s ritual purification reminds believers of the importance of obedience, sacrifice, and purification from sin.
- Presentation – Jesus is the firstborn son offered back to God, foreshadowing his ultimate sacrifice on the cross.
Origins and History
The feast of the presentation of Jesus at the temple was celebrated in Jerusalem as early as the 4th century according to records from pilgrims to the Holy Land.
The holiday originated when Constantine built a church on the site thought to be where Simeon encountered the baby Jesus. Around 384 AD, Egeria wrote about a celebration on February 14 commemorating Simeon’s vision of Christ as a light for the Gentiles. By 542 AD, the feast was established in Constantinople.
In Rome, the feast was celebrated on February 14th as the Purification of Mary. The procession of candles was incorporated in imitation of the journey of Mary and Joseph walking with the infant Jesus into the temple. By combining the purification ritual with Jesus’ presentation at the temple, the early church expressed its belief that temple sacrifices were fulfilled by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
When the feast was renamed Candlemas, it took on associations with light and candles in the meaning of the celebrations. The old English name was Candelmesse, candle-mass. Over time, Candlemas expanded beyond the gospel narratives to incorporate various traditions like the blessing and procession of candles, folklore about weather predictions, and the symbolism of light overcoming darkness.
Today, Candlemas continues to be an important feast day in the Church Year. It falls midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Many Christians see Candlemas as a reminder of Christ’s role as the true Light coming to enlighten every person (John 1:9).
Biblical References to Candlemas
The story of Jesus’ presentation at the temple is told in Luke 2:22-40. This passage provides insight into the biblical foundation for Candlemas observances:
And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The passage foreshadows Christ’s future sacrifice on the cross. He is the true Light that brings revelation to the world. Mary and Joseph submit to the Law of Moses in humility and obedience. Their actions model how believers should lay down their own Preferencesin service to God. The devout Simeon rejoices at seeing the arrival of the Savior. His Nunc Dimittis prayer is a moving declaration of faith.
Candlemas in the Life of the Church Today
For contemporary Christians, Candlemas is a reminder to:
- Rejoice in Christ’s coming as the Light of the World
- Give thanks that Christ came to be a light to the Gentiles
- Submit in obedience to God
- Model righteousness and devotion like Simeon and Anna
- Dedicate the firstborn (ourselves) to the Lord
- Spread the good news of Christ’s salvation
Candlemas kicks off the anticipation of the coming spring. Just as the first signs of spring bring joy after the winter cold, so Christians find hope in the light of Christ after the darkness of sin. As Simeon declared, the baby Jesus brought revelation to the Gentiles and glory to Israel. So Christians still find their salvation in the light of Christ.
Candlemas reminds the church that the innocent baby Jesus born at Christmas was born for the cross. The feast day points ahead to Jesus’ death and resurrection at Easter. In the ominous words of Simeon, the infant Savior was “appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed” and a sword would pierce Mary’s soul (Luke 2:34-35). The shadow of the cross looms in the temple courts.
For contemporary Christians, Candlemas represents hope, light, and a fresh start. We do not walk in darkness but have the light of life, as Jesus said (John 8:12). The Light of Christ continues to shine in the church, transforming hearts and lives.