Vicar/Reader's Monthly Message
On February 2nd the church celebrates the festival of Candlemas which is considered to be one of the oldest Christian festivals. Candlemas celebrates the light that comes to banish the darkness. As with many Christian festivals, Candlemas takes place at a time when ancient pre-Christian ceremonies occurred. 2nd February marks the mid-point between the shortest day of the year and the spring equinox, as it falls halfway through winter.
Candlemas is also a time to say ‘thank you’ as we remember that, 40 days after Jesus’ birth, his parents took him to the Temple as part of the Jewish customs of purification and redemption. On this occasion they would have naturally said thank you for the gift of life and a safe delivery. Here they encountered the elderly Simeon and Anna, with their messages that Jesus would bring about salvation for the world.
There was an old custom that on this day, hedgehogs would come out of hibernation to judge the quality of the weather. When the first settlers travelled to America, they took this custom with them, except there were no hedgehogs. Instead, there were groundhogs. So, in the USA, 2nd February is known as 'Groundhog Day'.
Candlemas takes its name from the Festival day - or mass - of the candles. It was the day when people brought all the candles to be used throughout the year to church to be blessed. Some people thought that candles provided protection against plague, illness and famine. They were asking God's protection on their homes and families for the coming year. Clergy would bless the candles and give them to the people. In the middle of a cold, dark winter, the lights of Candlemas were placed in every window to remind people of the light of Christ shining in the darkness, bringing hope in the midst of uncertain times.
There is a stirring passage at the beginning of John's Gospel where he writes about how Jesus came to be a light in the darkness of this world and to shine out as a sign of God's presence among us. 'The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.' (John chapter 1 verse 9) You may recognise these words from the final reading in the Carol Service. At Candlemas, the lights which people were to use in their homes were blessed in church as a reminder of the light of Christ which would be with them at home as well as in church. Whether or not we associate light with anything or anyone in particular, we all need the hope of some light to come in our present situation. Some are dealing with difficult and painful issues, like the illness of a loved one, a bereavement, mental health concerns or financial worries.
Prayers of thankfulness, for the hope, that the light of Christ brings into all our lives, are a firm foundation for the months ahead. Despite everything, we have much to be thankful for. - Liz