Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled:

My own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.

~Lk. 2:29-32

The feast was first observed in the Eastern Church as "The Encounter". In the sixth century, it began to be observed in the West: in Rome with a more penitential character and in Gaul (France) with solemn blessings and processions of candles, popularly known as "Candlemas". The presentation of the Lord concludes the celebration of the Nativity and with the offerings of the Virgin Mother and the prophecy of Simeon, the events now point toward Easter.
--From Catholic Culture