The Feast of the Meeting of the Lord and the Light We Carry Home
The Feast of the Meeting of the Lord is one of the great feasts of the Orthodox Church. It celebrates the moment when Christ is brought into the Temple forty days after His birth and is received by the righteous elder Simeon and the prophetess Anna. On this feast, the Church blesses candles, a tradition filled with deep meaning and practical faith.
This feast reminds us that Christ does not remain distant. He comes to meet His people. He enters the Temple. He enters our lives. The blessing of candles helps us remember who Christ is and what it means to follow Him.
The Light Who Comes to Meet Us
When Simeon receives the Christ Child in the Temple, he recognizes something that many others miss. He sees not just a baby, but the fulfillment of God’s promise. Simeon proclaims that Christ is a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Israel. This moment is at the heart of the feast.
Candles are blessed on this day because they point directly to Christ. Just as a candle gives light in darkness, Christ gives light to a world darkened by sin, fear, and death. The flame reminds us that Christ is not only worshiped in church but carried into the world through our lives. The light of a candle is small, but it is real. It pushes back darkness without noise or force. In the same way, the Christian life is not about drawing attention to ourselves but about quietly reflecting the light of Christ wherever we are.
Candles in the Life of the Church
Candles have always played an important role in Orthodox worship. We light candles during services as prayers made visible. Each flame represents a prayer offered to God, a soul seeking His mercy, or thanksgiving for His blessings.
The blessing of candles at the Meeting of the Lord reminds us that the light we receive in church is meant to go with us into daily life. Blessed candles are often taken home and lit during prayer, illness, storms, or moments of fear. They remind us that Christ is present not only in the sanctuary but in our homes and hearts.
This practice teaches us that faith is lived, not stored away. The Church blesses the candle, but the believer carries it, lights it, and remembers Christ in moments both joyful and difficult.
The blessing itself is simple, but its meaning is deep. It connects worship to everyday life and reminds us that Christ meets us wherever we call upon Him. The blessing of candles teaches us that faith is meant to be active. We do not only celebrate Christ on feast days. We bring Him with us into ordinary moments. It also teaches us humility. The light of Christ does not overwhelm or blind. It guides. It warms. It invites. Just as Simeon waited patiently for the promise of God, we are called to wait, trust, and remain faithful.
The feast also reminds us of preparation. Christ was brought into the Temple according to the Law. His family was obedient and faithful. In the same way, the Church prepares us through prayer, fasting, and worship to receive Christ more fully. The Meeting of the Lord is not only about something that happened long ago. It is about what continues to happen now. Christ meets His people in the Church, in the sacraments, in prayer, and even in the quiet glow of a candle lit in faith.
When we take a blessed candle home, we take with us a reminder of who Christ is and who we are called to be. We are called to carry His light, to reflect His love, and to make room for Him in every part of our lives.
