Feast of Candlemas
Intent: Kindling of the Light in Darkness
The meaning of the Feast day of Candlemas is varied. Traditionally, it is the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and the last Feast ending the time of Epiphany. But from a Gnostic perspective all of these represent but one mystery; the recognition of the Light of the Aeon Christ in the world. It is therefore linked to the idea that the Light of God is active in the world. In other words, that a new Light is present in the Temple of the Old Law.
According to the orthodox Gospels, Mary and Joseph took the Infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days after his birth to perform the redemption of the firstborn son. But the Gospels also record that Simeon had been promised that "he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ" (Luke 2:26). Simeon then uttered the prayer that would become known as the Nunc Dimittis: “Lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace; according to Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people: to be a light to lighten the gentiles and to be the glory of Thy people Israel.”
The link that the Nunc Dimittis makes between the young Baby Jesus who is the Aeon Christ in potentiality and the Light is the esoteric key to the meaning of the feast of Candlemas as the symbolic “rebirth” of the Divine Light. This “rebirth” also finds its symbol in what is happening in nature and the coming of spring. To Gnostics, it is not an accident that Candlemas is celebrated during the time that the ancient Pagan Romans celebrated the Lupercalia which was a celebration of fertility. After all Light is Life. From a Gnostic perspective contact with this Life giving Light is the very purpose of Candlemas.
Traditionally Christians would bring their candles to be blessed during the mass and therefore leave with a part of that New Light, symbolically carrying its blessings and creativity in their lives. Incidentally, this is what gives the feast day its popular name: The Mass of Candles or Candlemas.
Let us therefore as One Gnostic Community and One Universal Gnostic Church pray that we may spark our own inner candles with this New Light and having done so spread its fertility, creativity and warmth to others that we may one day be blessed with a New Day in a New World. Amen.
According to the orthodox Gospels, Mary and Joseph took the Infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days after his birth to perform the redemption of the firstborn son. But the Gospels also record that Simeon had been promised that "he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ" (Luke 2:26). Simeon then uttered the prayer that would become known as the Nunc Dimittis: “Lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace; according to Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people: to be a light to lighten the gentiles and to be the glory of Thy people Israel.”
The link that the Nunc Dimittis makes between the young Baby Jesus who is the Aeon Christ in potentiality and the Light is the esoteric key to the meaning of the feast of Candlemas as the symbolic “rebirth” of the Divine Light. This “rebirth” also finds its symbol in what is happening in nature and the coming of spring. To Gnostics, it is not an accident that Candlemas is celebrated during the time that the ancient Pagan Romans celebrated the Lupercalia which was a celebration of fertility. After all Light is Life. From a Gnostic perspective contact with this Life giving Light is the very purpose of Candlemas.
Traditionally Christians would bring their candles to be blessed during the mass and therefore leave with a part of that New Light, symbolically carrying its blessings and creativity in their lives. Incidentally, this is what gives the feast day its popular name: The Mass of Candles or Candlemas.
Let us therefore as One Gnostic Community and One Universal Gnostic Church pray that we may spark our own inner candles with this New Light and having done so spread its fertility, creativity and warmth to others that we may one day be blessed with a New Day in a New World. Amen.