Groundhog Day has taken on special meaning for me since I was invited into the Groundhog Club several years ago. My good friend, Frank, pastors a church in Punxsutawney, Pa., which is where the festivities take place every year in the United States. I think that's kinda neat.
Today also happens to be the Christian holiday known as Candlemas - otherwise known as the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple (from Luke 2:22-40). I am running late for a meeting, so I will just have to point to some great information at Churchyear.net, and wikipedia. Also a nice article by Stephen Douglas Wilson Groundhog Day's Christian Roots. I may come back and edit this later. Sorry.
Here is a Candlemas prayer for you:
Kontakion (First Tone) of the Presentation
Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb
and properly blessed the hands of Symeon.
Having now come and saved us O Christ our God,
give peace to your commonwealth
in troubled times
and strengthen those in authority,
whom you love, as only the loving one.
Peace out; and in.
No comments:
Post a Comment