The Groundhog vs. Candlemas

Here's the run down of the major groundhogs and their predictions today:

Roxboro Naba of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania = early spring
Jimmy the Groundhog of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin = early spring
General Beauregard Lee of Snellville, Georgia = early spring
Malverne Mel of Malverne, New York = 6 more weeks of winter
Staten Island Chuck of Staten Island (New York City) = early spring
Woodstock Willie of Woodstock, Illinois = early spring
Wiarton Willie of Wiarton, Ontario = 6 more weeks of winter
Punxsutawney Phil of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania = 6 more weeks of winter
Spanish Joe of Spanish, Ontario = 6 more weeks of winter
Dunkirk Dave of Dunkirk, New York = early spring
Buckeye Chuck of Marion, Ohio = early spring
Balzac Billy of Balzac, Alberta = early spring
Shubenacadie Sam of Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia = 6 more weeks of winter
French Creek Freddie of French Creek, West Virginia = early spring

So, by my count, that's 9 for and early spring and 5 for six more weeks of winter. Either way we're ahead since the vernal equinox (the technical start of spring) isn't for nearly seven weeks.

In my book, Groundhog Day does nothing but frustrate people. Either the portent is for more winter, which makes few happy or for an early spring which is bound to let everyone down.

Most of you probably aren't aware that on the church calendar, today is Candelmas--the celebration of Jesus' presentation at the temple. Forty days after His birth, Mary and Joseph take the baby to the temple to fulfill the Mosaic laws of the dedication of the firstborn and purification of the mother.

There they meet Simeon, a righteous man whom God told would not die until he saw the Messiah, and Anna, a prophetess. Both proclaim Jesus' work of salvation for the world.

Maybe, just maybe, that's a better place to turn to when we need some hope amidst several weeks of cold and darkness. Maybe we just need the reminder of the Light of the World and His redemption of all who would have Him. Either way, I think Simeon and Anna did a better job with their predictions than any groundhog ever has.