Candlemas candle with Candlemas flowers.   
Traditionally Candlemas (February 2) was the day when all the church’s candles for the year were blessed.  In the Christian church it commemorates the presentation of the baby Jesus to God in the Temple at Jerusalem and the ritual purification of his mother Mary 40 days after his birth. In church this morning we each lit a candle as a symbol of hope and reconciliation and the snowdrops are a reminder of one of the alternative names because they were among the first to flower around Candlemas. 
In ancient times it was a festival of light marking halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.  After the very blustery showery day today I am not sure if this saying will prove true.
If Candlemas Day be fair and bright
Winter will have another fight.
If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain,
Winter will not come again.

I am sure emh will solve this puzzle;  What is the connection between today and a date just over 1010 years ago?

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