The Office for Candlemas

Properly called the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary or Presentation of Christ in the Temple. In eastern churches it is sometimes called the Meeting of our Lord. In England the use of term Candlemas has not been recorded until the year 1014 so has been in use for around 1000 years. Steve Roud in his book on the English Year says that some people tend to prefer the second of these names as they feel uncomfortable with any idea that a woman is ritually unclean after birth and needs to be purified. It celebrates the time 40 days after Christmas when Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem as described in Luke 2:22-39. In pre-Reformation times the day would often see processions with lighted candles or tapers - the connection being with verse 32 when Simeon says Jesus will be "...a light to lighten the Gentiles...". Roud says there are very few folk customs associated with the day but there is a "cradle-rocking" in Blidworth, Nottinghamshire which is celebrated on the Sunday nearest to Candlemas. A baby born as near as possible to Christmas is placed in a cradle in the church and rocked by the priest while the congregation say the thanksgiving. The church is dedicated to Saint Mary of the Purification which is a dedication I'd never heard of before. The story is rather spoilt on learning that a plaque in the church records all babies so honoured since 1922 when the practice started. Although it is claimed that this was merely a revival of a much older custom. In Scotland it was a full quarter day and in Lancashire, Cheshire, and Cumbria often a day for starting farm tenancies and settling accounts.


22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
[KJV. Luke Chapeter 2, verses 36-8 omitted]