This is a lesson that I learned from my brother George Jenson – Pastor of the Enola First Church of God. This is his Facebook post from February 2, 2017,
"Every year on February 2 I give my Groundhog Day/Candlemas lesson. Here it is again this year with a few updates: Today, February 2 is Candlemas/Groudhog Day. Candlemas is a holiday that some “high” churches (those of a more liturgical nature) observe (currently, it is recognized more in other parts of the world; less so in the United States). It is a day that commemorates the biblical account where Mary and Joseph presented the baby Jesus to the Lord at the Temple in obedience to the Law of Moses (See Luke 2:22-40 and Leviticus 12). At the Temple, Simeon took Jesus into his arms and declared Him to be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.” Since Christians believe Jesus to be the Light of the world, some clergy in high churches that recognize Candlemas will bless candles and distribute them to their congregations. Candles are then lighted and placed in the windows of homes in honor of the "Light of the World" - Jesus Christ. Candlemas occurs on February 2 for this reason: The Luke 2 passage states that Jesus was presented at the Temple after the time of His mother Mary's purification. In reading Leviticus 12 we find that a mother's purification period upon giving birth to a male child was a total of 40 days starting with the day of his birth. Therefore, it can be safely assumed that Mary and Joseph presented Jesus at the Temple on the 40th day. The Christian church generally recognizes the birth of Jesus on December 25. If you begin counting on December 25, February 2 is the 40th day. Therefore, Candlemas is celebrated on February 2. Many people wonder if there is a link between Candlemas and Groundhog Day. Guess what? There is one and its roots can be found right here in Pennsylvania! To find that link, one needs to explore Pennsylvania German Folklore. Here's an example: James Morris, a storekeeper from Berks County, PA, kept a diary. In an entry from sometime in early February, 1841 it states, “Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate." So, Candlemas, a day that had been set aside to recognize our Lord as the Light of the World has been "overshadowed" by a weather-predicting rodent; and that would be Punxsutawney Phil, the most famous groundhog in the world. By the way, when I use the word, "overshadowed" in connection with Phil, the pun is definitely intended! I wish you all have a very Merry Candlemas and a Happy Groundhog Day too!”
"Every year on February 2 I give my Groundhog Day/Candlemas lesson. Here it is again this year with a few updates: Today, February 2 is Candlemas/Groudhog Day. Candlemas is a holiday that some “high” churches (those of a more liturgical nature) observe (currently, it is recognized more in other parts of the world; less so in the United States). It is a day that commemorates the biblical account where Mary and Joseph presented the baby Jesus to the Lord at the Temple in obedience to the Law of Moses (See Luke 2:22-40 and Leviticus 12). At the Temple, Simeon took Jesus into his arms and declared Him to be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.” Since Christians believe Jesus to be the Light of the world, some clergy in high churches that recognize Candlemas will bless candles and distribute them to their congregations. Candles are then lighted and placed in the windows of homes in honor of the "Light of the World" - Jesus Christ. Candlemas occurs on February 2 for this reason: The Luke 2 passage states that Jesus was presented at the Temple after the time of His mother Mary's purification. In reading Leviticus 12 we find that a mother's purification period upon giving birth to a male child was a total of 40 days starting with the day of his birth. Therefore, it can be safely assumed that Mary and Joseph presented Jesus at the Temple on the 40th day. The Christian church generally recognizes the birth of Jesus on December 25. If you begin counting on December 25, February 2 is the 40th day. Therefore, Candlemas is celebrated on February 2. Many people wonder if there is a link between Candlemas and Groundhog Day. Guess what? There is one and its roots can be found right here in Pennsylvania! To find that link, one needs to explore Pennsylvania German Folklore. Here's an example: James Morris, a storekeeper from Berks County, PA, kept a diary. In an entry from sometime in early February, 1841 it states, “Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate." So, Candlemas, a day that had been set aside to recognize our Lord as the Light of the World has been "overshadowed" by a weather-predicting rodent; and that would be Punxsutawney Phil, the most famous groundhog in the world. By the way, when I use the word, "overshadowed" in connection with Phil, the pun is definitely intended! I wish you all have a very Merry Candlemas and a Happy Groundhog Day too!”
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