In February, France celebrates Candlemas, a traditional event deeply ingrained in French culture. Candlemas falls on February 2nd, marking 40 days after Christmas and serving as the final festivity of the Nativity cycle for the Catholic Church. This celebration also commemorates the presentation of Jesus to the temple, as recounted in the Gospel of Luke. Originally associated with candles (''chandels'') in churches, Candlemas symbolizes Christ as the light of the world. It also coincides with the beginning of winter seedtime, during which people make pancakes or crepes to symbolize the returning sun after winter's darkness. Today, pancake-eating festivities on Candlemas are observed in France, Belgium, and Switzerland.
Vocabulary:
• Celebration: (noun) a special event or activity that people organize in order to celebrate something.
• Commemorate: (verb) to remember officially and give respect to a great person or event, especially by a public ceremony or by making a statue or special building.
• Nativity: (noun) the occasion of a baby being born.
• Ward off: (phrasal verb) to prevent someone or something unpleasant from harming or coming close to you.
• Seedtime: (noun) the time of year when seeds are planted.
• Festivity: (noun) the celebration of something in a joyful and exuberant way.
• Ingrained: (adjective) firmly fixed or established, especially as a habit, belief, or attitude.
• Coincide: (verb) to happen at or around the same time.
• Darkness: (noun) the partial or total absence of light.
• Observance: (noun) the practice of observing or adhering to something, such as a custom or tradition.
Source: FrenchMoments