Candlemas

Celebrating the time when Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the Temple for ritual blessing. Perhaps its most poignant moment is when the aged Simeon gathered Jesus into his arms and prayed the lovely prayer we know as the Nunc Dimittis - "Lord, now let your servant go in peace..."

It marks the end of the season of Christmas/Epiphany and is a hinge, when we turn from the initial joy of recognising God in the child Jesus, to the pilgrimage of Lent and the darkness of the Passion and the Cross.

Churches are said to have been decorated at Candlemas with the snowdrop which flowers at this time.

Please see the church calendar.