Finding the Light at Candlemas in Del Mar

Reflections from Mother Susan at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church

Candlemas, Groundhog Day, and the Hope of New Light

Each year in early February—right around Groundhog Day—the church celebrates Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. While Groundhog Day playfully asks whether winter will linger or spring will come early, Candlemas invites a deeper question: where is light showing up in our lives right now?

At St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Del Mar, Mother Susan reflected on how this midwinter feast reminds us that even when days feel short or uncertain, light is already breaking through.

A Story of Faith, Family, and Ordinary Life

Candlemas brings us back to Jesus’ infancy, forty days after Christmas. Mary and Joseph bring their child to the temple, faithfully honoring the traditions of their community. They arrive without wealth or spectacle, offering two turtle doves—the simplest and most affordable gift.

It’s a quiet reminder that holiness often looks ordinary. Faith is lived out not in perfection, but in showing up, staying rooted, and doing the best we can with what we have.

Simeon and Anna: Wisdom, Waiting, and Hope

In the temple, two elders recognize what others might miss. Simeon, nearing the end of his life, sees the child Jesus and speaks words still prayed in churches today: “My eyes have seen your salvation… a light for all people.” Anna, an 84-year-old widow who has spent years in prayer, immediately begins sharing the good news with anyone longing for redemption.

In a culture that often associates aging with decline, their stories offer a different vision. For Christians, Mother Susan suggested, life is not a journey from light into darkness—but a growing awareness of light, even as the years pass.

Encouragement for Times of Uncertainty

Mother Susan connected this story to the letter to the Hebrews, written to a community struggling with hardship, fear, and doubt. Its message is simple and grounding: Jesus fully shares the human experience. Joy and suffering, hope and loss—none of it is foreign to him.

That truth matters, especially in times like ours. When life feels heavy or confusing, faith becomes less about having answers and more about knowing we are not alone.

Community, Calling, and Letting Our Light Shine

This reflection came as St. Peter’s gathered for its annual meeting—a moment to look back with gratitude and forward with hope. Across generations, the community was reminded that the church exists not for itself, but to share Christ’s light in the world.

As the children had already sung, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.” That calling belongs to all of us—young and old, longtime members and newcomers alike.

Conclusion

Candlemas doesn’t promise that winter disappears overnight. But it does promise that light is already here, and that the journey is one we walk together.

If you live in or around Del Mar and are looking for a place to slow down, ask questions, and find meaningful community, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church welcomes you—whether you’re deeply rooted in faith, exploring it for the first time, or simply curious. You don’t need to have it all figured out. Just come as you are.

We’ll be here—lighting candles, sharing stories, and walking the pilgrim way together.