What, you say? Candlemas – I thought today was Groundhog Day?
Yeah, it is. It’s a pretty fascinating day. I have started it with so much energy that I am actually surprising myself. So between wrestling Andrew all morning, and constantly singing ‘The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota”, I did some research on Groundhog’s Day.
Why? Yeah I know!
But really what a fascinating day. Besides being 2-2-2012, which I am sure has some mathematical significance, it is also the midway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. So that means Winter is halfway over, or there’s still half of it left – depending how you look at it. This day has been celebrated with small mammals like groundhogs and badgers for century’s. In fact I found some interesting old poems over at EarthSky, like
If Candlemas Day be fair and bright, winter will have another flight. But if it be dark with clouds and rain, winter is gone and will not come again.
or this one
Half your wood and half your hay, you should have on Candlemas Day.
What’s this Candlemas? Well since Christmas is around 40 days ago ( can you believe it, and I still have some decorations up!!!), this would be right around the time the baby Jesus was brought to the temple for consecration. And there we see some two amazing people waiting for him, Simeon and Anna, and here is what Simeon said when he held that little boy
28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 22:28-32
And here we sit, at Mid Winter, enjoying some great mild weather, but wondering if the light will reveal that little Groundhog’s shadow, and pondering will it be spring or more Winter. – do we need wood or hay? I hope you also spend a moment or two today full of wonder at the light that revealed salvation and glory for all people!
Amazingly, this presentation turned out to be the highlight of the day, even better than the evening’s cross country banquet at the Golden Corral.