Candlemas

The Christmas season is my favorite time during the liturgical year (yes, I realize Easter is the bigger feast), but unfortunately it is tossed in the dustbin the day after Christmas by our secular culture.  On the other hand, I am happy to say that our family’s nativity scene is still proudly sitting in the living room next to our Christmas tree, bedecked with real wax candles that were lit on Christmas Eve (Please don’t waste your time telling me this is a fire hazard.  When was the last time you heard of a Christmas tree catching fire from real candles?  Secondly, don’t ask me when was the last time I heard of anyone having real wax candles on his tree:-).

As a nod to the last day of Christmas, I would like to share William Byrd’s Hodie beata Virgo, sung by the Guildford Cathedral Choir, directed by Barry Rose (we will hear more about him in the future).

(Translation) Today the Blessed Virgin Mary presented the boy Jesus in the temple. And Simeon, full of the Holy Spirit, took Him in his arms and blessed Him for evermore.

 

 

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