In the late fourth century, a woman named Etheria made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and recorded what she witnessed in a remarkable travel journal. Her writings give us one of the earliest insights into the Church’s liturgical life, including the celebration of Christ’s birth and the solemn procession marking His Presentation in the Temple forty days later.

This feast recalls Jesus being brought into the Temple in accordance with the Law, marking His first public appearance there. While it reflects the customs surrounding purification after childbirth, the focus of the celebration rests firmly on Christ, who is presented to the Lord.

By the fifth and sixth centuries, the feast had spread throughout the Western Church. Since Christmas was celebrated on December twenty five, the Presentation came to be observed on February two, forty days later.

In the early eighth century, a candlelight procession was introduced, followed later by the blessing and distribution of candles. From this tradition comes the feast’s familiar name, Candlemas, celebrating Christ as the light of the nations.