Right Day, Wrong Holiday
Tomorrow is the great meteorological festival known as Groundhog Day. Frankly, I've always considered that particular holiday to be a load of bunk and sometimes feel concerned for the furry woodland creatures who are exploited by it. It does stimulate tourism, however. And I've always liked the movie starring Bill Murray for being humorous and sweetly romantic.
However, I've always associated February 2 with Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. There are many beautiful settings of the Song of Simeon which I remember in the liturgies of the day when I was little. This song usually referred to by its first two words in Latin, " nunc dimittis " (now you dismiss), "Now send forth your servant in peace, to go as you have promised, for my eyes have seen the Messiah whom you have prepared for the whole world to see, a light to enlighten the nations and the glory of your people Israel." It is the song of an old man who sees the fruition of his life in the face of a little baby. He then, being a prophet, demonstrates the typical tact of prophets, " This child is destined to be a sign that will be rejected ; and you too will be pierced to the heart. Many in Israel will stand or fall because of him; and so the secret thoughts of many will be laid bare."
Perhaps not surprisingly, Candlemas became a popular day to look for any sign that winter would be ending, a day to look for signs to accept or reject, a day when groundhogs become conflated with the Christ Child.
ESA(20040201.1)
Tomorrow is the great meteorological festival known as Groundhog Day. Frankly, I've always considered that particular holiday to be a load of bunk and sometimes feel concerned for the furry woodland creatures who are exploited by it. It does stimulate tourism, however. And I've always liked the movie starring Bill Murray for being humorous and sweetly romantic.
However, I've always associated February 2 with Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. There are many beautiful settings of the Song of Simeon which I remember in the liturgies of the day when I was little. This song usually referred to by its first two words in Latin, " nunc dimittis " (now you dismiss), "Now send forth your servant in peace, to go as you have promised, for my eyes have seen the Messiah whom you have prepared for the whole world to see, a light to enlighten the nations and the glory of your people Israel." It is the song of an old man who sees the fruition of his life in the face of a little baby. He then, being a prophet, demonstrates the typical tact of prophets, " This child is destined to be a sign that will be rejected ; and you too will be pierced to the heart. Many in Israel will stand or fall because of him; and so the secret thoughts of many will be laid bare."
Perhaps not surprisingly, Candlemas became a popular day to look for any sign that winter would be ending, a day to look for signs to accept or reject, a day when groundhogs become conflated with the Christ Child.
ESA(20040201.1)
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