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Candlemas is a traditional Christian festival that commemorates the ritual purification of Mary 40 days after the birth of her son. It also marks the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple. Christians were observing this holiday in Jerusalem as early as the 4th Century A.D. This goes back to a Jewish tradition that women were considered unclean after the birth of a child and were not permitted to enter the Temple to worship. This was 40 days after the birth of a son and 60 days after the birth of a daughter. At the end of the 40 or 60 days, the mother was brought to the Temple or synagogue and ritually purified. Then she could go to religious services again, and generally go out in public. So we celebrate the ritual Purification of the Virgin Mary, the specified forty days after she gave birth to Jesus.

Reason Two: -

The Feast of Purification is called Candlemas because that was the day on which the year's supply of candles for the church were blessed. By the middle of the 5th century, candles were lit on this day to symbolize that Jesus Christ was the light, the truth and the way. Forty days after Christmas comes the feast of Candlemas, the day on which Christians celebrate Jesus' Presentation in the Temple at Bethlehem. In Jesus' day, new babies were presented at the temple so that parents could give thanks to God. The Gospel of Luke says that Jesus was met by Anna and Simeon. Simeon held the baby Jesus and called him a Light to the World. In the Middle Ages, this feast was celebrated with long lines of people carrying candles. House holders would bring a year's supply of candles to the church for blessing. This was considered the end of the great season of Christmas.

Now back to - St. Peter's Church, Candlemas Supper

A wonderful atmosphere greeted everyone as they entered St Peter's Church for the Candlemas supper. The sight of beautifully laid out tables decorated in red and white, candles alight on every windowsill and column, the heaters giving a warm pink hew and the aroma of mulled wine wafting in the air. The hustle and bussel of activity in the kitchen meant we were in for yet another wonderful supper, catered for by Angela Warne and her helpers.

	When all the guests were seated and the last drops of the 'ever popular' Mulled Wine had been distributed, The Rev. Bridget Hill welcomed everyone and the event then got underway.
	The covers came off the food on the heavily laden center table and after having the cooked meat distributed onto our plates everyone helped themselves from the huge selection of salad dishes.
	A hush soon fell within the church as the evenings guests tucked into a sumptuous supper of cooked ham and beef salad, followed by a wonderful choice of Angela's home made sweets
	Some of us, would you believe, even managed 'Seconds'! Tea and Coffee was served and then we were treated to some wonderful entertainment by Richard and Kathy for the rest of the evening,

Richard and Kathy! People asked before the night, who are they? Well, Kathryn O'Connor, you will remember, was the delightful young lady who played her Violin so beautifully at St. Peter's Church Concert for the 125 year celebrations. So when we all found out she was coming again, the thought of hearing her Violin playing stirred a great deal of enthusiasm. But who was Richard? This is Richard A. Langridge, who teamed up with Kathy approx 2 years ago as folk singers, performing both original and well known songs.

Kathryn and Richard were in the last 10 of the "Write a Folk Song for Lincolnshire" contest. They played at SPILSBY THEATRE on finals night Thursday 10th October!! Check out the report at www.bbc.co.uk/lincolnshire

Richard is a very good Professional Artist, to see his work click on his link on the 'Links page' within this site.

I think everyone will agree that a wonderful night was had by all.

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