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for my eyes have seen 
your salvation that you 
have prepared in the
presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation 
to the Gentiles
and for the glory 
to your people Israel.
Luke 2:30-32

Let us bless the light
 
 
​On February 2, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple. Since that's a mouthful, this celebration is usually just called Candlemas.
 
This day marks six weeks since Jesus's birth - the appointed time for all firstborn sons to be presented in the temple for consecration unto the Lord. Upon his arrival in the temple, Jesus is recognized by the elderly Simeon and Anna for who he is - the long-awaited messiah!
 
In celebration of Jesus being a "light for revelation to the Gentiles" (as Simeon prays), Candlemas is generally celebrated by blessing a church's candles for the coming year. Hence the name Candlemas! 
 
Breathe
 
Inhale: light of the world
 
Exhale: illumine our way 
 
of John 8:12
Pray
Almighty and everliving God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in the substance of our flesh, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Book of Common Prayer
 
Sing
Make & Bless
You can bless your own candles for the coming year as well! Especially if you have kids, making rolled beeswax candles is a delightful way to mark the day. 
 
​W​hen we bless something, we consecrate it as holy unto the Lord. In this​ candle blessing, we ask the Lord to make bless the light that he might shine through our hearts and our homes in the coming year.
 
​Below you can find a PDF Liturgy for blessing your candles and a link to a super easy DIY candle-making kit. 
 
 
Bonus
 

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