The Feast of the Presentation of our Lord Jesus, also known as Candlemas, is a Christian holiday commemorating the presentation of Jesus at the Temple, traditionally the 40th day of the Christmas-Epiphany season.  Historically, on Candlemas, many Christians brought their candles to a local church where they were blessed and then used for the rest of the year.  Christians consider Jesus the "Light of the World," so it is fitting that candles were/are blessed on this day.