Candlemas is Forty days from Christmas (2nd February). At the end of the 40 days after Christmas, Mary, the mother of Christ, was taken to the temple and ritually purified. As they did so, they were greeted by the aged Simeon. His song, was the Nunc Dimitis. Candles are lit on this day to symbolise that Jesus Christ is the light, the truth and the way. Often there is a candle-lit procession.

Almighty and ever-living God,
clothed in majesty,
whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple,
in substance of our flesh:
grant that we may be presented to you
with pure and clean hearts,
by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Lord, you fulfilled the hope of Simeon and Anna,
who lived to welcome the Messiah:
may we, who have received these gifts beyond words,
prepare to meet Christ Jesus when he comes
to bring us to eternal life;
for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever.