Candlemas & Imbloc

This morning, my girls woke up excited to know if the groundhog saw his shadow.  I was reminded that today was February 2nd, and the day of Candlemas.  In the past couple of years, I've become interested in the more ancient holidays, rituals, and festivals.  I know a lot about Samhain (October 31st), and some about Yule/Winter Solstice (December 21st), but I wanted to know more about the origins and traditions of Candlemas.  And now, you can know more too!

Candlemas is a holy day (holiday) that coincides with the pagan festival of Imbolc.  Imbolc is the second Sabbat on the Wheel of the Year.

Imbolc is a celebration of the ending of winter and the coming of Spring.  The days are growing noticeably longer, and winter is beginning to release its hold on the earth.  For pagans, the changes in nature were a symbol of rebirth and renewal and the returning of light, which was considered to be life-giving and life-sustaining for people, for animals, for plants and trees and crops.  Much emphasis and symbolism was placed on the hearth fire and the light of candles.

Candlemas, as a Christian holy day, celebrates three biblical occasions: the presentation of the child Jesus, Jesus' first entry into the temple, and the purification of the Virgin Mary (mostly in Catholic tradition).  How fitting that we as Christians consider Jesus Christ to be the Light of the World, and the pagan sabbat, Imbolc, was a celebration of the return of life giving and life sustaining sunlight.  Don't we also think of Jesus Christ as a "life sustaining light" in our lives?

 The more I read about the ancient pagan festivals of the year, the more parallels I see between them and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  While I do not worship trees, flowers, or the sun, I do acknowledge the divine hand that created them.  We are taught that this earth is precious, and we are responsible for the care and keeping of it.  (Genesis 1:26-28)  

Take a moment today to think about the significance of February 2nd--Imbolc, Candlemas, Groundhog Day--and the important part that light plays in each of these rituals and traditions.  Consider the light that the Savior brings to all mankind--He is the life-giving, life-sustaining Light of the World--and how we as His disciples can grow and develop spiritually under the bright and constant light of his life and ministry and the hope of resurrection and eternal life.