The Feast of Candlemas – A Celebration of Light, Faith, and Music
By James Kennerley, Music Minister
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! I know, the Christmas decorations are all now put away until next December (or November, or October – it seems to get earlier every year). But our church traditions are particularly full in the time between Christ-mas and the month of February. The music produced for these occasions over the course of more than 1300 years stands as testament to the rich liturgical celebrations surrounding Jesus’ birth – including the Wise Men at Epiphany, the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, and the various rituals that followed the birth of a Jewish child.
Each year on February 2, the Church gathers to celebrate the Feast of Candlemas, also known as the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, or the Purification of Mary. This ancient feast holds profound theological, liturgical, and musical significance, marking the midpoint between Christmas and Lent. It is a moment to reflect on Christ as the light of the world and to revisit the themes of dedication, revelation, and renewal that resonate deeply in both scripture and tradition. Since February 2 falls on a Sunday this year, our liturgical “rules’ dictate that Candlemas “usurps” the typical Epiphany Sun-day. That means we get to do all kinds of beautiful, unusual things!
The roots of Candlemas are firmly planted in the Gospel of Luke, which recounts the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple (Luke 2:22-40). According to Jewish law, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to fulfill the requirements of the Law of Moses: Mary’s purification after childbirth and the redemption of their firstborn son. In this moment, they en-countered two prophetic figures, Simeon and Anna, who recognized the significance of the child before them. Simeon’s beautiful prayer, known as the Nunc Dimittis, proclaims: “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salva-tion” (Luke 2:29-30). This declaration highlights Jesus as the promised Messiah, a light to the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel.
The liturgical celebration of Candlemas is rich with symbolism. Traditionally, it is the day when candles are blessed, distributed, and carried in procession, a practice that dates back to the early centuries of the Church. These candles represent Christ as the light of the world, echoing Simeon’s proclamation that Jesus is a “light to lighten the Gentiles” (Luke 2:32). The imagery of light is central to Christian theology, signifying hope, guidance, and the divine presence. As we process with candles, we are reminded of our own call to carry the light of Christ into the world, a world often shadowed by darkness and uncertainty.
Musically, Candlemas has inspired generations of composers to create some of the most poignant works in the sacred repertoire. Settings of the Nunc Dimittis (also called the Song of Simeon) have been composed by luminaries such as Thomas Tallis, Charles Villiers Stanford, and Arvo Pärt. These musical interpretations capture the elevated emotions of Simeon’s prayer: the quiet peace of fulfilled longing, the awe of divine revelation, and the bittersweet recognition of Christ’s future suffer-ing, all delivered from a baby to an old man. Singing or listening to these pieces in the con-text of the liturgy allows us to enter into the mystery of the feast more deeply, using music as a bridge between scripture and the soul.
In addition to its theological and musical dimensions, Candlemas offers an opportunity for spiritual reflection and renewal. As the feast falls at the transition between the seasons of Christmas and Lent, it invites us to look back with gratitude and forward with intention. We recall the joy of the Incarnation while preparing for the journey toward the cross. The dual focus of the feast mirrors the dual nature of Christ—both fully human and fully divine—and challenges us to embrace the complexities of faith in our own lives.
In the Episcopal tradition, Candlemas holds a particular resonance. The Book of Common Prayer emphasizes the importance of presenting ourselves as a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1), echoing the offering made by Mary and Joseph in the temple. The blessing of candles reminds us of our baptismal promise to “shine as a light in the world to the glory of God the Father.” Candlemas, then, becomes not just a commemoration of an event in Jesus’ life but also a call to action, encouraging us to embody the light of Christ in our own communi-ties.
As we celebrate Candlemas this year, let us carry its light with us. Whether through the flicker of a blessed candle, the strains of a beloved anthem, or the quiet moments of prayer and reflection, this feast reminds us of the transformative power of Christ’s light. May it inspire us to renew our commitment to faith, to seek out the divine in the ordinary, and to share the hope and love of Christ with all we encounter.