February 2nd is Candlemas and if you are a devout Christian you likely know about it and celebrate it. For most, however, it is likely a forgotten event, unlike Christmas or Easter.

I think that’s too bad. I like the idea of a ceremony that creates blessed candles “to be lighted at times of stress – during storms, in sickrooms and at the bedside of the dying” (as this piece explains). We could all use such candles, whatever our beliefs, to get us through hard times. Even to get us through winter.

If you are struggling to get through this difficult winter and this difficult month, might I suggest you acquire your own blessed candles — even if you have to bless them yourself — and get them out and light them when the time arises. You deserve no less.

P.S. When it comes to February, Austin Kleon provides plenty of ways to look at the month in a positive way. I’ve written about that here and here. I also recommend you check out this post he made in 2023.

P.S.S. If you are wondering if there are other -mas holidays you’d like to know about, I’ll direct you to this. There are ALOT, including Michaelmas, Marymas, Hallowmas, and many more.

Image is of the painting “Candles” by Gerhard Richter.