Saturday, February 2, 2008

Candlemas


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!

1 comment:

  1. 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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