La Chandeleur - Of Candlelight, Coins, and Crêpes

February 2nd is celebrated as La Chandeleur in France, Belgium, and French-speaking Switzerland. Also known as Candlemas, this Catholic holiday marks forty days past Christmas in its commemoration of the presentation of Jesus at the Temple, based on Luke 2:22-40. In the Torah it is written that a mother cannot visit the Temple until forty days past the birth of a son and sixty past the birth of a daughter. Hence, the timing of la Chandeleur.

Not to be confused with Shrove Tuesday aka Pancake Tuesday on February 21st, la Chandeleur is also known as Crêpe Day. Besides marking Christ's presentation at the Temple, this celebration also marks the hope of Spring. Crêpes, with their round shape and golden color, remind people of the sun's return after the darkness of winter, or crêpes can remind of gold coins and prosperity. (Superstition promises that if you hold a gold coin - a gold louis - in one hand while flipping a crêpe in the pan with the other, you will have good luck and prosperity all year.) 

A summer visit to Sarlat, France last year afforded me the opportunity to indulge in freshly made street vendor crêpes neatly folded into quarters, sprinkled with sugar, and served on tiny paper plates [see photo below]. My husband and I meandered to a sturdy ancient bench in a lovely gravel-pathed park colored with late-summer flowers and shrubs which surrounded war memorials etched with the names of those who died for freedom's sake. A pensive - and delicious - moment, for sure. 

Some traditional Chandeleur rhymes include:

     À la Chandeleur, l'hiver se meurt, ou prend vigueur.

     At Candlemas, winter dies or gains strength.

     À la Chandeleur, le jour croît d'une heure.

     At Candlemas, the day increases by an hour.

     Rosée à chandeleur, l'hiver à sa dernière heure.

     Dew on the Candlemas, winter in its last hour.

     Si le ciel n'est ni clair ni beau, nous aurons plus de vin que d'eau.

     If the sky is neither clear nor beautiful, we will have more wine than water.

     Chandeleur à ta porte, c'est la fin des feuilles mortes.

     Candlemas at your door, is the end of dead leaves.

My husband and I will celebrate la Chandeleur today because it snuck past us on the 2nd. Candles will be lit for illumination during our evening. Luke 2 will be read. Crêpes will be enjoyed in the glow of waxy candles as we contemplate our love and gratitude for Jesus our Saviour and for Joseph, Mary, Simeon, and Anna, all servants of the Most High God.

Spring approaches! Soon we shall welcome longer, warmer days and new growth bursting from soil. May you have spiritual prosperity all the days of your life, health and happiness, too.

Joyeuse Chandeleur!