Candlemas at Our House

Candlemas, a nearly forgotten holiday which happens 40 days after Christmas, began this morning when our sons took the Christmas tree out to the curb and put the tree stand in the basement. 

Later, I had two girlfriends over and we made beeswax candles. None of us had made candles from scratch before, so we all learned together. I had bought the beeswax pellets this fall to dip autumn leaves and I had a whole lot left over.

 

I bought the metal candle molds and the pouring container at Michael's after work on Thursday. Candlemas, which is the Feast of the Presentation, marks the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the presentation of Christ in the temple.

Years ago, when I was a young mother, I learned about this nearly lost holiday from a book, and I used to roll beeswax candles with our boys. Recently, I discovered this tradition is being followed in little pockets, such as  here and here and here. I was inspired to try it again.

We also used a couple of extra Mason jars for candle holders. We didn't know how to secure the wicks and one of my girlfriends suggested we use uncooked spaghetti. I didn't have any in the pantry, so we broke off a piece of uncooked lasagna noodle!

One of my girlfriends was unable to come because she is caring for her mother while her father is hospitalized and awaiting open heart surgery. "Light a candle for him," she asked.

And  I did.