Happy Candlemas!

Although North Americans know February 2 as Ground Hog Day, European Roman Catholics used to celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Infant Jesus at the Temple on this day, lighting candles as part of the ceremony.  Some Christians consider Candlemas to be the last day of the Christmas season, thereby taking down their Christmas decorations that day.  Here is a poem dedicated to Candlemas that I found on the Internet.


As the light grows longer
The cold grows stronger
If Candlemas be fair and bright
Winter will have another flight
If Candlemas be cloud and rain
Winter will be gone and not come again
A farmer should on Candlemas day
Have half his corn and half his hay
On Candlemas day if thorns hang a drop
You can be sure of a good pea crop

(Author Unknown)



Source:  http://en.wikipedia.org.wiki/Groundhog_Day.



Photo of stained glass window at St. Michael's Cathedral, Toronto, courtesy www.blogger.com.