THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY
Candlemas Eve
31st January 2026
Tomorrow being the eve of Candlemas, we celebrate the festival that is properly known as The Presentation of Christ in the Temple. Coming approximately halfway between the Winter Solstice and the March Equinox, and marking the beginning of Spring in the Celtic Calendar, it is the last of the three major Christian festivals of light. In the Middle Ages it was a big celebration in which it was customary to bless candles to be used during the year, and one of the popular beliefs was that the weather on Candlemas day functioned as an inverse forecaster of what was to come. If Candlemas Day be sunny and bright Winter will take another flight: if Candlemas day be cloudy with rain Winter is gone and won't come again. So there is something positive about it being wet and windy after all!
The themes of Candlemas are rich and varied, as indicated by its several names, for as well as the Presentation of Christ in the Temple it is also The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Both are something of a mouthful and the shorthand, Candlemas, accentuates the fact of it being a festival of light. The infant Jesus is hailed by the elderly Simeon and Anna as the fulfilment of Israel's hopes, The Light shining in the darkness of the world. At the same time there is the anticipation of future suffering as Simeon predicts Mary's pain (a sword will pierce you heart also....). For at Candlemas, Crib and Cross are united. We are reminded that The Light has come because there is darkness, and although the days are getting longer, the darkness of this world endures. The darkness of the world endures indeed but even in death on the cross it could not snuff out the light of Christ. Tomorrow we celebrate that light and as we snuff out our candles at the end of the procession and turn to face the Cross, we pray that the Light will continue to burn bright where it most needs to, in our hearts and minds.
Blessings,
Charles Booth
The Pew Sheet with notices and readings is attached.
Further contributions to the Blessing Bin for the Community Larder and donations of underwear (new), toiletries and sanitary products for rough sleepers would be most welcome.
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