Candlemas: Holding the Light of the World in Our Hands

On February 2, the season of Christmastide comes to a close.  This sentence might mystify those of us who take the Christmas decorations down on December 26.   Maybe we smugly wait until January 6, thinking that we know the true meaning of the Christmas season.

I, too, hadn't really celebrated Candlemas until a few years ago--it was a trip to Mepkin Abbey that enlightened me in more ways than one.

Over at the Living Lutheran site, I've written about a post about that time at Mepkin Abbey and the larger meaning of Candlemas.  Here are some quotes to whet your appetite:

"Candlemas celebrates the presentation of Jesus at the temple 40 days after his birth. Simeon holds and blesses the baby Jesus. During a Candlemas homily, one of the Mepkin monks asked us to imagine Simeon who got to hold the light of the world in his hands."

"Today would be a good day to light a candle and to think about our own lights. Are we dimly burning wicks? Take heart – the Bible promises that we can still be useful! Does our light burn pure and true? Take care to protect that flame."

"And for those of us who feel like it’s been too long since we saw sunlight, be of good cheer. The holidays of early February (Groundhog Day, Candlemas, St. Brigid's Day, Imbolc and Oimelc) remind us that the light hasn't really left us. Spring will be here soon."

Go here for the complete post.