Wymondham Abbey celebrates Candlemas

Published: 7:09 AM January 31, 2009 Updated: 7:56 AM October 7, 2020

CHILDREN from Wymondham Abbey's Sunday school are preparing for a special part in this year's Candlemas celebrations.

The children will be singing a special song during Sunday's informal service at 9.15am.

Organiser Elaine Skelly said: 'The children have been finding out about the meaning and traditions of Candlemas. They have lit candles and practised actions to accompany the song This Little Light Of Mine, I'm Gonna Let It Shine. It is a real favourite of theirs, and of all our adult helpers too.'

The group, which is called NOC, meets weekly at 9 o'clock (hence the name) in the Abbey Hall, and provides activities for children of primary school age.

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The feast of Candlemas, also known as the Presentation or Purification, officially falls 40 days after Christmas on February 2. In times past, this was when the Christmas celebrations came to end and the decorations were finally taken down. It was also the day when candles (a symbol of purity) were blessed for use in church during the coming year, and when snowdrops, known as Candlemas Bells, first came into flower.

Our ancestors kept a keen eye on the weather on this day. They believed that if the sun shone, it was a sign that Spring would be cold and wet. Hibernating animals took a peek out of their holes and, if the weather was bad, went back to sleep until later in the year.