Household candles

February 2nd is coming up.It’s “Feast of Our Lord,” “Candlelight,” and “Groundhog Day.”These three celebrations are interconnected, and their meanings have meaning in our lives today.
“Offering the Priest” is a sacred festival that dates back to the 5th century AD.It takes place 40 days after Christmas and commemorates the biblical story outlined in Luke 2:22-38.
In this chapter of Luke’s Gospel, Mary and Joseph take their firstborn son, Jesus, to the temple in Jerusalem to receive special blessings.There, they met a pious old man named Simeon.He was filled with awe and joy as he held Jesus in his arms.Simeon expressed to Mary and Joseph that Jesus is the light of revelation and glory, leading people to God.
Candlemas, sometimes spelled Candlemass, is closely related to the “Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord,” and in some religious traditions the names of these festivals are interchangeable.
Candles play a special role in Candlemas celebrations, which can be traced back to Simeon’s words about Jesus being the light of revelation.In the early church, worship leaders blessed church and home candles throughout the year on February 2.
Some denominations continue to offer special candle blessing services.Blessed candles can then be used for family celebrations year-round and can be a light of hope in times of challenge.
Regardless of your church’s traditions, Candlemas can be a day to gather your candles and pray that they will be a source of blessing and illumination for the coming year.
February 2 is also Groundhog Day, a tradition in the United States that dates back to the late 1800s.Legend has it that if a groundhog saw its shadow, it would get scared and go back to its burrow to hibernate for six weeks.If there is no shade, look forward to early spring.
German immigrants brought this tradition to America.Their weather forecast animal of choice in Germany was the hedgehog, but the groundhog is more common in Pennsylvania, making it the rodent to carry the tradition forward.
February 2 happens to be the midpoint between the winter equinox and the beginning of spring.People have long tried to use the opportunity to guess how long winter will last.
An ancient rhyme goes like this: “If Candlemas is fair and bright, there will be another battle in winter. If Candlemas brings clouds and rain, winter will not come again.”
Regardless of what you may choose to celebrate in the coming week, here are my wishes for your journey.
“All Sacred” is Emily Carson’s weekly column.She is the pastor of the Lutheran Church.Visit her website emilyannecarson.com.