AT the beginning of February, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple.

This recalls the time when Jesus was taken to the Temple in Jerusalem to be presented to God by his thankful parents.

This festival is also called Candlemas... from the tradition that candles for use in worship would be blessed at this time.

For centuries, candles have been used in sacred ceremonies. In many cultures and religions, a lit flame is a symbol of faith, enlightenment, peace, concentration, life-giving power, and joy.

Unlike sunlight, which is too strong for the eyes, soft fire helps us to focus and calm down.

That is why candles are primarily used for relaxation and tranquility.

Prayer and meditation using candles helps us to relax the mind and let go of our often hectic pace of life. This can be a real blessing when our lives seem overly busy and we feel that we have no control over things.

Science suggests that candles can soothe us. The flame of a candle is an incredibly soothing thing.

There is a reason that people have used candlelight to meditate for centuries.

The flame of a candle can soothe us, it can reduce our stress, while also increasing our self-awareness. This is done because the low light coming from a candle is captured instantly by our eye.

The light is sent straight to our brain, and our association with candlelight helps us to calm down.

In the Christian faith, candles carry a deep meaning tied to the gospel and are used by various denominations.

Candles are lit, not only to enhance the worship experience in church, but also to appreciate faith in a manner that surpasses human understanding.

The light of these candles is symbolic of the light of Christ, which pushes back the darkness.

There are many references to light in the Bible and one of the best known is in St John's Gospel, 8:12, where Jesus reminds his followers that: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

In the Christian tradition, candles can also symbolise many things: life, Christ, repentance, our prayer requests, what God has done, what God will do, and more.

Candles, then, remind Christians of the glory of God - His power and purity, and His abiding presence and faithful promises.

Next time you light a candle, may it remind you of the light of Jesus Christ which shines out to drive away the darkness.

The Rev Preb Matthew Tregenza

Holy Cross Church

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