In the Christian Calendar, the 2nd of February is known by three names:-
It's the Feast of the Purification of Mary - the old Jewish concept that after childbirth a woman had to offer a sacrifice for her cleansing - now largely unheeded [many would say, "thankfully"].
It's also the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. After the mother had been purified, she had to present her first-born child in the Temple, as he[provided he was a male] was deemed "sacred to the Lord". However, recognising that the first-born male was necessary for the economic and social wellbeing of the family, the child could be "bought-back" or "redeemed" by another small sacrificial offering [eg two small doves].
According to the story in St Luke, whilst Mary was doing this, she was met by an old man Simeon, who took the child Jesus in his arms and proclaimed the child would be a "Light to enlighten the Gentiles" His words are now enshrined in the Nunc Dimittis ["Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace...." ], as Simeon had seen God's promised salvation for Israel.
And it's Simeon's prophesy that Jesus was to be the "Light to enlighten the Gentiles" which led to the tradition of candles being blessed and lit in churches on this day, and then the candles would be taken home for use there.
Archaic, perhaps to us today, but remember this was in the days before gas or electric light. Candles were very important to ward off the dangers of darkness.