Friends, tomorrow is more than just Ground Hog Day here in the United States.  It is the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ in the Temple and the celebration of Candlemas.  In observing this day, we mark the end of the Epiphany celebration.

Below is a wonderful piece by His Grace, Bishop Thomas Langley of the Alexandrian Gnostic Church that highlights the significance of this day.

February 2 is celebrated as The Feast of The Presentation of Jesus Christ in the Temple (also known as The Meeting of the Lord, or Hypapante). See The Gospel of Luke 2:22–40 for the traditional story associated with the date.

The Presentation in the Temple is also the source of the Nunc Dimittis, or Canticle of Simeon, which is traditionally used in Vespers or Evensong Services (and it is sung by the celebrant near the end of the AGC's Liturgy of Divine Wisdom):

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."

In the Liturgical Calendar, this Feast marks the end of the Epiphany season.

We also celebrate it with the blessing and lighting of beeswax candles at the beginning of Liturgy, followed by a procession. 

Candlemas is rich in meaning, and is in some ways a transitional day. On one hand, we're continuing to celebrate the arrival of the Christ, as we celebrate his Presentation in the Temple. On the other hand, we're also looking forward to the penitential season of Lent - and the Crucifixion - which is soon upon us, with Simeon's prophecy to Mary that " a sword will pierce your own soul too."

With these words "and a sword will pierce through your own soul also," we're also looking forward to the work of observation and watchfulness (solve) that should be intensified during the coming season of Lent. I see it as a gentle reminder that, while Christmas was grand, it's now time to get to work on nurturing the Light that was born on Nativity and continue the absolutely essential regular, daily practice as we continue to work toward purification, illumination, and theosis.