Festival celebrated midpoint on winter (From Keighley News)

Festival celebrated midpoint on winter

7:20am Thursday 4th February 2010

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Margaret Ward,

Our Lady of Victories writes

This week, on February 2, we celebrated the Feast of Candlemas.

This is a very ancient feast following on from a Roman Festival of Light celebrated at the midpoint of winter. The Festival of Light celebrated the increase in the strength of the life giving sun and the lengthening of the days.

Tradition has it that on the 40th day after the winter solstice people went to church with the candles that would be used through the year to ask for them to be blessed. Candles were the light source of the time, no electricity!

In Jewish tradition the first born of the family was taken to the Temple in Jerusalem 40 days after his birth in order that the parents could give thanks to God and so it was with Mary and Joseph, who took Jesus to the Temple to be presented to God.

Christians often refer to Jesus as the Light of the World and how much more in our present times do we need that Light. Winter days sometimes seem endless and so too do the troubles and worries which we encounter, yet we have the sure and certain hope that Jesus is always there to help and guide and to lighten the burdens if we allow Him to.

As always a year past has many joys and sorrows, life is like that, but we dwell on the negative side so easily. The promise of spring, seeing bulbs coming up in the gardens and hearing the birds, the bighting, cold mornings that offer hope that winter is almost over, are all great blessings from our Father. He understands how we feel and what we need and all we have to do is to turn to him in expectation and He will provide.

We have seen the dreadful aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti on the news these past weeks and I should think that everyone who can has helped in some way. As we look forward to the coming year let us count our blessings and praise Jesus the Light, who is with us through it all. Let our generosity to anyone in need be a sign of our following Jesus. So as the light grows stronger in the coming days and weeks, may we grow stronger in our faith and good works as we aim to reflect the Light of Jesus in our world.

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