Candlemas, or the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, is coming Feb. 2. On this day, Catholics celebrate Christ as the Light of the World. In the Canticle of Simeon, he prays, “Now dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, in peace, according to Thy word: For mine own eyes hath seen Thy salvation, Which Thou hast prepared in the sight of all the peoples, A light to reveal Thee to the nations and the glory of Thy people Israel.” In this spirit, we can pray that we, too, can readily recognize Christ’s light and spread it to others. Candles give a physical representation of this and are blessed before Mass on Candlemas. You can purchase them at online retailers such as www.stjudeshop.com, or make your own. Four easy candle-making techniques can be found at www.artofhomeschooling.com.
Easter is early this year, so the beginning of Lent is, too. Ash Wednesday is Feb. 14, and now is a good time to consider Lenten resolutions and how you will help teach your children about this holy season. Resources abound on Catholic family websites, such as the color-as-you-go Lenten resolution printable available at www.catholicicing.com, which also features a cute video for kids illustrating how to use the printable and say no to temptations. Sara J. Creations has a guide to creating a comprehensive “Catholic Lent Lapbook” in English and Spanish as well as a Lenten prayer chain project.