Presentation of Our Lord and Candlemas

As this was our first week back at lessons our feast days for this week were not given our usual attention. So for this special day we did not achieve much of what I had planned.
So rather than give you the planning post I had planned, I will summarise some information ( late for this year I know but will help again next year) and show our candle dipping.
Kimberly has some wonderful information and links for you too.
Fisheaters again for wonderful information as well as Catholic Culture.
These two images we have printed out and coloured or cut out and made a stained glass window.
You could also embroider around the outline or cut out felt dove sahpes and blanket stitch and stuff them. Then hang them from the seasons wreath.
Of course this would be a perfect time for a dove shaped cake or those lovely edible candles from Catholic Cuisine.
Links for the candle cake,
or two versions of edible candles.


We listening to this (several times over) as our little ones loved it. We dipped our candles. We usually like to roll some as well but hadn't restocked our supply of bees wax sheets. We also had different wicks this year as Spotlight were I usually get them form is no longer stocking them. As the bought ones were so expensive i trialled some string pre dipped in wax. I am unsure of how this will burn so if anyone know of a great supplier of wax sheets and wicks please let me know.
This is our block of Bees waxBreak it up with a sledge hammer, only boys would think of using such a BIG hammer.Put the chunks of Bees was into an empty Milo or coffee can in a pot of water and melt. I keep stirring it. I know some people prefer to grate the wax but we use so much that it doesn't warrant the time it takes to grate it.The store bought wicks on the left and homemade string ones on the right. This is our outdoor setting table. Over the years it has been given a 'lived in' look by various crafts, painting etc being done on it.Dipping into the can of melted wax.We use the walk around technique. This entails dip in the can and walk to the end of the line enabling the wax to solidify before re dunking.
Our little ones and yours truly loved singing the Candle song above while dipping our candles.
Note the orderly line seen here was not like this for long with little one racing back to the start past bigger sibling.Waiting, waiting, waiting.A small amount of wax on the wick.Drying out at the half way mark while I reheated the wax to melt again.
Our finished candles waiting to be blessed by father on Sunday.
We did use 3 for our candlelight dinner. Although we always have candles for dinner it was nice to have some homemade ones again.
A dinner table picture towards the end of dinner.
The liturgical bookcase display: White chasuble for Father Pine, surrounded by tea light candles and small doves.
Also for favours as a reminder of the feast day... well I am embarrassed to say the best I could do this year was a small birthday candle for every one.

I pray you had an enjoyable feast day.

CANDLEMAS PRAYER ~

All-powerful Father,
Christ your Son became man for us
and was presented in the temple.
May he free our hearts from sin
and bring us into your presence.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever. Amen

Blessings,