Candlemas: The Presentation of Christ and the Light of the World

The final feast day in the season of Epiphany is the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple. You may also hear it referred to as the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary or, more commonly, Candlemas. Celebrated on February 2nd, exactly 40 days after Christmas, this day brings to a close the full arc of the infancy narratives, beginning at Christ’s birth and culminating in His presentation at the temple. It is the final epiphany, the last great revelation of Christ’s identity in the season that bears that name, as He is proclaimed “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” and the Savior of the world.

A Feast with Ancient Roots

The Feast of the Presentation is one of the most ancient in the Christian calendar, with evidence of its observance going back to at least the fourth century. The pilgrim Egeria, writing in the 380s, described its celebration in Jerusalem:

“But certainly, the Feast of the Purification is celebrated here with the greatest honour. On this day there is a procession to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher; all go in procession, and all things are done in order with great joy, just as at Easter. All the priests preach, and also the bishop, always treating of that passage of the Gospel where, on the fortieth day, Joseph and Mary brought the Lord into the Temple, and Simeon and Anna the prophetess, the daughter of Famuhel, saw Him, and of the words which they said when they saw the Lord, and of the offerings which the parents presented.”

The Presentation in Scripture

On this day, we remember Mary and Joseph bringing the infant Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem, in accordance with Jewish law. As described in Luke’s Gospel, this practice was deeply rooted in the Law of Moses. A woman was considered ritually unclean for 40 days following the birth of a son. At the end of that period, she was to go to the temple for purification and present her firstborn son to the Lord (see Exodus 13:12–15 and Leviticus 12).

We are told that Mary and Joseph offered a pair of young pigeons, an offering allowed for those who could not afford a lamb. This detail points to their humility and poverty.

Simeon and Anna

Luke also introduces us to Simeon, a devout man in Jerusalem to whom the Holy Spirit had revealed he would not die before seeing the Messiah. Led by the Spirit into the temple that day, Simeon recognized the infant Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promise. He took the child into his arms, praised God, and offered a prophecy that has echoed through centuries of Christian worship:

“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,According to Your word;For my eyes have seen Your salvationWhich You have prepared before the face of all peoples,A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,And the glory of Your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29–32)

This beautiful proclamation is known as the Song of Simeon or the Nunc Dimittis, from its Latin opening words meaning “Now you let depart.” It has been used in evening prayers such as Vespers and Compline since the 4th century and still holds a cherished place in liturgical traditions today.

We are also introduced to Anna, a prophetess and a widow who worshiped continually in the temple through fasting and prayer. Upon encountering the Holy Family, she praised God and spoke of the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

Global Traditions and Celebrations

Candlemas is the final feast of the Christmas cycle. In some traditions, people take down and burn their Christmas greenery on Twelfth Night (January 5th). In others, including parts of Europe and Latin America, the decorations are left up until Candlemas, and then a final joyful farewell to the season takes place.

Since Christ is proclaimed the “light of the world” on this day, candles play a central role in its celebration. Churches bless the candles to be used throughout the coming year, and in earlier centuries, families would also bring their own household candles to be blessed during a special liturgy, hence the name Candlemas (“Candle Mass”).

Here are just a few glimpses of how this feast is celebrated around the world:

Germany

In German households, a feast is held, and each family member lights a new candle before the nativity scene. After prayer, the father cuts a branch from the Christmas tree and gives one to each child. The tree is decorated with candies and nuts, and the children are allowed to enjoy the sweets at this time.

Scotland

Children traditionally brought candles to school and contributed money toward buying sweets for the class. The child who raised the most was crowned “Candlemas King or Queen” for the day.

Mexico

In Mexico, Candlemas is the joyful conclusion of a tradition that begins with the Rosca de Reyes, the Epiphany bread. Whoever found the hidden bean in their slice becomes the godparent of the baby Jesus doll (niño dios) and is tasked with dressing the figure in elaborate clothes for Candlemas. That person also prepares a tamale feast for family and friends after the doll is brought to church to be blessed.

France

Known as La Chandeleur, the day is celebrated with crêpes, whose round, golden appearance symbolizes the sun and the return of light. There’s even a tradition of flipping a crêpe while holding a coin in your other hand; if the crêpe lands back in the pan, it’s said your family will enjoy good fortune in the year ahead.

England

Candlemas was associated with weather prediction. Farmers believed the weather on Candlemas foretold the length of the remaining winter:

If Candlemas be fair and bright,

Come winter, have another flight;

If Candlemas bring clouds and rain,

Go winter, and come not again.

This bit of lore eventually found its way into Groundhog Day, which shares the same date and is still observed in the U.S. and Canada today.

Ways to Celebrate Candlemas at Home

• Read Luke 2:22–40 as a family and reflect on the themes of light, revelation, and devotion.

• Since Jesus is the Light of the World, do something with candles: make them, bless them, light all the candles in your home, or gather them on the dining table and have a simple, celebratory meal by candlelight.

• If you baked a Rosca de Reyes for Epiphany, let whoever found the bean dress the baby Jesus from your nativity set.

• Host a tamale feast!

• Make and enjoy crêpes.

the recipe -

Candlemas Crepes.pdf

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Candlemas Crêpes

FOR THE CRÊPES

• 2 eggs

• 1/4 cup butter, melted

• 2 1/2 tbsp sugar

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup milk

• 1/8 cup water

• 1/2 tsp vanilla

• dash of salt

  
  

FOR THE FILLING

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

• 2-4 tbsp powdered sugar (to taste)

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

• fresh strawberry slices

  
  

Instructions:

FOR THE CRÊPES

1. Whisk all the ingredients, except the flour, together. Add in the flour, a little bit at a time, whisking just until the flour has been mixed in.

2. Let the crêpe batter rest for 10 minutes. Then, give the batter a quick whisk again before using.

3. Grease a non-stick, 6” skillet with unsalted butter and heat over medium heat. Pour about 2-3 tablespoons worth of batter into the pan and tip the pan from side to side to get the batter to spread out throughout the pan.

4. Cook each side of the crêpe for 30 seconds before gently loosening up the edges with a large spatula. If it lifts, then the crêpe is ready to be flipped. If it doesn’t lift up very well, give it 10 to 15 more seconds and try again. Gently lift the crêpe out of the pan, then flip it over into the pan and cook the other side for another 10 to 15 seconds; remove to cool.

   
   

FOR THE FILLING

1. Simply beat the heavy whipping cream with a hand mixer or stand mixer until soft peaks form. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla, then beat until stiff peaks form.

2. Spread a layer of cream onto each crêpe, add sliced strawberries, and then roll the crêpe like you would a wrap.