On February 2, the Church traditionally celebrates Candlemas, but how does this celebration come about? According to the law (Leviticus 12:1-4), a woman could not touch anything consecrated to God or enter the temple until 40 days after giving birth, this feast of the purification of Mary and the presentation of Jesus to the temple (Luke 2:22-23) occurs for this reason 40 days after Christmas. Jesus was not only presented to the temple but also consecrated to God, according to the law (Exodus 13:2).
On Candlemas, the Catholic faithful will take home candles that have been blessed, these candles will symbolize Jesus Christ, the wax being a symbol of his pure body, the wick the symbol of his soul, and the flame symbol of his divinity.
This candle, every time it is lit in your home, will remind us that Jesus Christ is the Light of the world, that all those who follow him will have the light that gives life and will not walk in darkness (John 8:12).
It is following this sacred tradition that we bring our children shortly after they are born to present them to our Lord, and then consecrate them to God through baptism.
Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture, are bound closely together, and communicate one with the other. For both of them, flowing out from the same divine well-spring, come together in some fashion to form one thing, and move towards the same goal.” Each of them makes present and fruitful in the Church the mystery of Christ, who promised to remain with his own “always, to the close of the age” (CCC 80)
Let us be part of the Church’s tradition, which is a living transmission, carried out by the Holy Spirit, which, although it is different from Holy Scripture, is closely connected to it. Through it, the Church in her doctrine, life and worship, perpetuates and transmits to every generation all that she herself is, all that she believes (CCC 78).