Candlemas

Song of Simeon

The Candlemas story may be found in Luke chp 2 vss 22-38. If pupils are keeping a diary of the Christmas story then this should be the event with which the story closes. Vss 29-32 are known as the "Song of Simeon" and speak of the hopes Simeon has for this precious baby who is being "offered to the Lord". This could provide a focus for discussion work with the children on their own hopes and fears for the future.

Candle-mass

The theme of Candlemas is "Jesus as the Light of the World" and, as a visual response to this, some churches bless the candles they will use throughout the year on this day. You will find some ideas about "Light" under the Advent and Easter suggestions in this section of the

Guidelines. Candles will also be used at Sunday services throughout the year and in baptism. The different symbolic uses of light in worship could be gathered in to a mini-topic (light also plays a significant part in Jewish and Hindu worship). Why not actually make candles to celebrate Candlemas?

"I Am"

The verse "I Am the Light of the World " (John chp 8 vs 12) is connected with Candlemas, but it is also one of the six famous "I Am" sayings in John's Gospel, each one telling us something about the nature of Jesus and His role. These "I Am sayings" can be accessed in discussion at a very basic level by older KS2 pupils or interpreted creatively in art, drama or music. The other sayings may be found in chp 6 vs 35 the Bread of Life, chp 10 vs 14 the Good Shepherd, chp 11 vs 25 the Resurrection and the Life, chp 14 vs 6 the Way, the Truth and the Life and chp 15 vs 1 the True Vine.