Today is the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in The Temple (Candlemas). Traditionally, candles are blessed on this day.
Here's a Robert Herrick poem for the day:
THE CEREMONIES FOR CANDLEMAS DAY
Kindle the Christmas brand, and then
Till sunset let it burn;
Which quench'd, then lay it up again,
Till Christmas next return.
Part must be kept, wherewith to teend
The Christmas log next year;
And where 'tis safely kept, the fiend
Can do no mischief there.
In some traditions it's fine to keep Christmas decorations up until Candlemas. I did that one year and enjoyed it very much!
Wow. Our tree didn't leave the living room until Wednesday night, and the stockings are still on the mantle. It is nice to know we have bee following a tradition. Marilyn
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