The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, celebrates an early episode in the life of Jesus. According to the gospel of Luke, Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days after his birth to complete Mary’s ritual purification after childbirth, and to perform the redemption of the firstborn, in obedience to the Law of Moses. Luke explicitly says that Joseph and Mary take the option provided for poor people (those who could not afford a lamb), sacrificing “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
Leviticus 12:1-4 indicates that this event should take place forty days after birth for a male child, hence the Presentation is celebrated forty days after Christmas. The presentation is celebrated FEBRUARY 2 and is the Catholic holiday of Candlemas, a feast to commemorate the purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of the baby Jesus.
For many French people La Chandeleur is a chance to enjoy a lot of crêpes, as well as do some fortune telling while making them. As I mentioned in a previous post, Holy Crepes! The tradition is to hold a coin in your writing hand and a crêpe pan in the other; then toss the crêpe in the air. If you manage to catch the crêpe in the pan, your family will enjoy prosperity for the rest of the year
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 pinch salt
- 1-1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- In a bowl combine eggs, milk, flour, salt and oil. Process until smooth. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and brush with oil. Pour 1/4 cup of crepe batter into pan, tilting to completely coat the surface of the pan. Cook about 2 minutes, turning once, until golden. Repeat with remaining batter.
- Fold twice and serve with toppings of your choice
