At the start of February (the 2nd) each year, we observe The Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, also known as Candlemas. Until the fifth century, the three main Christian festivals were Easter, Epiphany and Candlemas. The abbess and pilgrim Egeria recorded celebrating the feast in Jerusalem in the late 4th century.
This feast later became also known as the Purification of Saint Mary the Virigin, recognizing Mary's return to the Temple to give a thank-offering after childbirth and be ritually purified. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition the Meeting of Christ with Simeon is celebrated. The story of Jesus' presentation in the Temple reminds us that in Jewish Law (Exodus 13:2, 22:29) every firstborn son was dedicated to God in remembrance of the Israelites' deliverance from captivity in Egypt, where the firstborn sons of the Egyptians were slain by the Angel of the Passover, and those of the Israelites were spared. The Book of Common Prayer identifies the Presentation as a major Feast of Our Lord.
In the readings for the liturgy we hear the response of the elderly Simeon to the child Jesus in the temple whom he sees as the "light to enlighten the nations" (this anthem of praise is known as the Song of Simeon, or, in the Latin for the first words, the Nunc Dimittis, now let depart .
Candlelight processions have been held on this feast since the early fifth century, and from the eleventh century in Gaul, candles have often been blessed in churches for the year to come. We will have an informal Eucharist on the Eve of the feast, Saturday Feb. 1 at 7 pm. As is traditional on Candlemas, a plate offering toward the cost of candles for our parish will be collected.
Anglican practice reflects the seasonal nature of this feast using the Epiphany preface to the Eucharistic Prayer: "in the mystery of the word made flesh, you have caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge of your glory in the face of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord". As at Easter, we acknowledge that the Christ-light gives light to every person as each worshipper's hand-candle is lit from the Paschal light.

Come and celebrate at a 6:30pm service Thursday Feb. 2nd.