Ask Jesus to shine his light up on you

Today is Groundhog’s Day, the day when we want to know whether a groundhog sees its shadow. While Punxsutawney Phil is the most famous of our nation’s groundhogs, each region has its own, like Woodstock Willie in Woodstock, Illinois, or Tater in Kansas City. If it is sunny out and the groundhog sees its shadow, the saying goes that there will be six more weeks of winter. I always found this odd. I would think that seeing the sun would indicate an early spring, but that’s just me. The Pennsylvania Dutch came up with this tradition in our country, bringing with them a similar tradition from Germany that used a badger instead of a groundhog to predict the days of winter weather.

Feb. 2 is the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, and it is 40 days after Christmas. In some Christian traditions, there is a special worship service for that day called Candlemas, where the presentation of Jesus at the Temple is celebrated, and where people can bring their candles to have them blessed. At home, when these blessed candles are lit, they are to remind those in the home that Jesus is the light of the world.

While the groundhog may not want to see the light, we do. We want the sun to shine down upon us. We long for the days of summer because we can live in the light more hours of the day. Yet, even the sun’s rays pale in comparison to another light - the light of the world, Jesus Christ. It is this light that truly gives our lives life and love. It is this light upon which the universe relies. Do you have this light in your life? If not, take a moment and ask Jesus to shine his light upon you and within you. Be filled with the light of life.

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned.”  Isaiah 9:2