Candlemas FAQs

Discover the beauty and meaning of Candlemas at St. John’s! Learn about its biblical roots, the rich traditions of light and renewal, and how our congregation celebrates this special day with joy, faith, and pageantry. Candlemas marks a turning point in the church year—join us as we honor Christ, the Light of the World.

CHURCH HOLIDAYS

1/28/20252 min read

St. John’s is celebrating Candlemas for the first time in recent memory this 2025, and I thought a question-and-answer style blog post might be helpful. - Pastor Schmidt

1. What is Candlemas?

40 days after Jesus was born, in Luke 2:22-32 Mary and Jesus went to the temple for the first time, Mary to be cleansed according to Leviticus 2, and Jesus to be presented to God as her firstborn son, according to Exodus 13. (Candlemas is celebrated on February 2, forty days after December 25.)

2. Why is it called Candlemas?

Just like Jesus, the Light of the world, was brought into the temple for the first time, so Christians since the Middle Ages have processed into church on this day with candles. (In the days before electricity, they would bring their candles from home to be blessed. I feel like bringing lightbulbs to be blessed is a poor substitute.)

3. How do we celebrate Candlemas at St. John’s?

There are four special things about Candlemas at St. John’s.

First, a special gathering. Just like for Palm Sunday, at the beginning of the service, children and families who wish to, gather in the narthex (entryway) for a dialog, prayer, and Bible reading.

Next, a special procession. Cross, pastor, and children/families all process into the nave (worship room) with candles (both real and child-friendly candles are available), singing “Angels from the Realms of Glory,” peeling off to the sides when they get to the altar, to go to their pews. Halfway through the procession, Pastor prays. After the processional hymn concludes, everyone can blow out their candles.

Third, the whole congregation lights our candles for Communion during the offering, as part of our preparation for Christ to be presented to us in the Sacrament. (We blow them out before distribution.)

Fourth, we have a closing dialog that wraps up both the service and the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany time of the Church Year.

4. Why the pageantry? Isn’t that distracting from Christ?

Indeed, pageantry for the sake of pageantry is no worship. “Rend your hearts and not your garments,” the Lord tells us through the Old Testament prophet, Joel. Nor should anyone feel forced to take part in the pomp.

Nevertheless, done well- in faith, for faith- a little pageantry can be beneficial. Matching words with actions and traditions can make an impression on a person and add a layer of solemnity and joy, as we pray our Candlemas celebration does.

5. What’s the Point of Celebrating Candlemas?

Candlemas offers renewal and cleansing through Christ, like Mary was purified; it offers Christ himself, who obeyed God in everything for us; and it offers a chance to think about our own blessed departure, like Simeon.

6. What does Candlemas mean for next week?

Candlemas is the turning point in the first half of the Church Year, from the manger to the cross. The gold, frankincense, and myrrh brought by the Wise Men on Epiphany become gold for a King, frankincense for a Priest, and myrrh for a burial.

A Prayer for Candlemas

can be sung to “From Heaven Above” or the “Doxology”

Ah dearest Jesus, thee I pray:

Within my heart now make Thy stay,

That I, like Simeon of old,

By faith may gladly thee enfold.

Thou art my Life and Happiness,

Whom God hath sent, my soul to bless:

O cleanse and purify my heart,

That from thy paths I ne’er depart.

Lord, with thy light show me the way,

That I may never go astray;

Ward off all sorrow and despair,

And let me be thine own fore'er.

Lift up thy face upon me, Lord,

In life and death thy help afford;

Then I'll depart most cheerfully

This life, whene'er it pleaseth thee.

-Bartholomew Helder