February 2, 2020 –
The presentation of Jesus, Transfiguration, the Super Bowl, and Groundhogs Day.
So what does this mean? Jesus shines bright like the sun, so if Simeon doesn’t see Jesus’ shadow, that means 40 more days of Lent – and the 49ers win the Super Bowl? Actually, there is a historical connection with these things (minus the Super Bowl).
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple is always on February 2nd. It’s 40 days after Christmas, and the day required by the Old Testament, for mothers to bring their babies in and offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to God. It’s on that day that old Simeon takes Jesus in his arms and says He is a “light to lighten the Gentiles.” It became custom on this day by the late 600’s A.D. to light candles and to bless them for the Church’s use over the next year, as a reminder that Jesus is the Light of the World. A tradition or legend developed in Europe that if your candles and church are so bright than an animal outside sees their shadow, it was kind of a taunt to winter to come back again because it didn’t matter how dark winter was if Jesus was the true Light. In the late 1800’s, that animal was specified to be a groundhog in Pennsylvania, and hence Groundhogs Day.
We are going to light candles during our service today – twice, once as we prepare to hear God’s Word, and again as we prepare to hold Jesus in our hands in the Lord’s Supper. And through God’s Word, let’s make this day bright and chase away whatever darkness we might be facing.
