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Body of Christ Sacramental Candle 7/8 x 8" 84200701
Body of Christ Sacramental First Communion Candle is a white Stearine candle with Chalice, Host, and Wheat Design. The Body of Christ Candle is 7/8 x 8 inches and comes gift boxed - 84200701 SEE QUANTITY PRICING
$4.50
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Candle Personalized Gold Lettering Kit 1363
Wedding Unity Candle Personalized Gold Lettering Kit includes multiple letters and numbers measuring 5/16” tall. Lettering Kit 1363 allows you to date, monogram or add names to the Unity Candle and other Stearine or Beeswax Candles. SEE QUANTITY PRICING
$7.60
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Holy Matrimony Cream Side Candle 2 piece box 84401101
Beautiful Sculptwax Floral Décor Side Candles with Cream Raised Wax Flowers can be used for many occasions. Holy Matrimony Side Candles come in a 2 piece boxed set, the perfect compliment to any Unity Candle - 84401101 SEE QUANTITY PRICING
$9.98
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2nd February is Candlemas Day.
This ancient festival marks the midpoint of winter, halfway between the shortest day and the spring equinox.
Candlemas is a traditional Christian festival that commemorates the ritual purification of Mary forty days after the birth of her son Jesus. On this day, Christians remember the presentation of Jesus Christ in the Temple. (Leviticus 12:2-8) Forty days after the birth of Christ Mary complied with the precept of the law, she presented her first-born in the temple (Numbers 18:15), and was purified by the prayer of Simeon the just, in the presence of Anna the prophetess (Luke 2:22) . No doubt this event, the first solemn introduction of Christ into the house of God, was in the earliest times celebrated in the Church of Jerusalem.
In pre-Christian times, this day was known as the 'Feast of Lights' and celebrated the increase strength of the life-giving sun as winter gave way to spring.
Candles were important in those days not only because there was no electric lights. Some people thought they gave protection against plague and illness and famine. For Christians, they were (and still are) a reminder of something even more important. Before Jesus came to earth, it was as if everyone was 'in the dark'. People often felt lost and lonely. Afraid. As if they were on their own, with no one to help them. Then came Jesus with his message that he is with his followers always ready to help and comfort them. As if he is a guiding light to them in the darkness. Christians often talk of Jesus as 'the light of the World' - and candles are lit during church services to remind Christians of this.
Awakening the Ground
February 2 falls midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox and in many traditions is considered the beginning of spring. This was the time for preparing the fields for the first planting.
The promises of the return of the light and the renewal of life which were made at the winter solstice are now becoming manifest. It's the dawn of the year.
Candles and Christmas Greens
The main element of your decorating scheme for Candlemas is fairly obvious: candles. You can gather all the candles in your home in one room and light them from one central candle. Or place a candle in each window (but watch them carefully).
Candlemas is one of the traditional times for taking down Christmas decorations (Twelfth Night, on January 6th, is the other). If you are very careful (because they are tinder dry), you can burn them. Or, better yet, return them to the earth mother by using them for compost or mulch.
Certain foods are traditional for Candlemas, including crepes, pancakes and cakes, all grain-based foods. Pancakes and crepes are considered symbols of the sun because of their round shape and golden color.
If you have a fireplace, clean out your hearth and then light a new fire. Sit around the fire and reflect on your hopes for the coming year. What do you hope to accomplish? What are you passionate about? What seeds do you wish to plant? Discuss these ideas with others or write them down in a journal but make them concrete in some way so that on Lammas (August 2nd, the festival of the first harvest), you can look back to see what progress you’ve made.
Making Pledges and Commitments
Since Candlemas is a time of new beginnings, this is a good day to ritually celebrate all things new. Plan a ceremony to name a new baby, officially welcome a new person into a family or plight your troth to your beloved. Make a commitment to a goal (like a New Years resolution): this would be an especially powerful thing to do in a group.
If you plan your own ceremony, use these two powerful symbols: fire and water. For instance, wash your hands and bathe your face in salt water, which is especially good for purification. Light a candle as you make your pledge. Incorporate the third symbol of the holiday — seeds — by planting a seed or bulb in a pot to symbolize your commitment, or by blessing a bowl or packet of seeds that you will plant later.
Purification and Renewal
Have you ever given anything up for Lent? If not, you might consider it. You don’t have to be Catholic to gain spiritual benefits from the voluntary surrender of something you cherish. You can give up something frivolous or something serious, but it should be something you will notice. Folk wisdom says it takes six weeks (or approximately the 40 days of Lent) to establish a new habit, so you may end up with a lifestyle change.
Since Candlemas is often considered the beginning of spring, you can perform another ritual act of purification: spring cleaning. This would be a good time to do a thorough house cleaning, sweeping the floors with salt water, banishing the gloom of winter and creating a sparkling, shiny new setting for spring.