The Feast of Candlemas

 

The Feast of Candlemas: The Feast of Light

 

 

 

In the Christian tradition today is kept as Candlemas Day, the feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple by His mother Mary and foster father Joseph. It was then that the babe was recognised as the Christ for all peoples and proclaimed as such by St.'s Simeon and Anna. He will be and is already the Light who enlightens all people as Simeon sings in his prophetic canticle, the Nunc Dimitis. This song is chanted and prayed by the whole Church during the office of Compline every night 

 

This feast is understood as one of the pinacle moments when the two strands of Jewish Revelation; the Prophets and the Priesthood, both recognise Jesus as the Christ who fulfils Prophecy and as the perfect High Priest who enlightens the world and who is Himself the sacrificial offering for its salvation.

 

Falling 40 days after Christmas and mid way between the Solstice and the Equinox it also reminds us of the great cosmic rhythms of light and darkness and the uncreated Light from which they both emerge. It is also since ancient times the definitive end of the Christmastide season and looks forward to the growing light of Spring.

 

As part of its ritual the candles that will be used in the coming year are blessed today thus giving it its ancient name of Candlemas

 

 

For this day enjoy a meditation on Light by the poet TS Eliot 

O Light Invisible, we praise Thee!

Too bright for mortal vision.

O Greater Light, we praise Thee for the less;

The easternlight our spires touch at morning,

The light that slants upon our western doors at evening,

The twilight over stagnant pools at batflight,

Moon light and star light, owl and moth light,

Glow-worm glowlight on a grassblade.

O Light Invisible, we worship Thee!

We thank Thee for the light that we have kindled,

The light of altar and of sanctuary;

Small light of those who meditate at midnight

And light directed through the coloured panes of window

And light reflected from the polished stone,

The gilded cavern wood, the coloured fresco.

Our gaze is submarine, our eyes look upward

And see the light that fractures through unquiet water.

We see the light but see not whence it comes.

O Light Invisible, we glorify Thee!