He is the light who reveals Your message to the other nations,
and He is the shining glory of Your covenant people, Israel.
Luke 2:32, (The Voice)
Today is Groundhog Day, but really it is Candlemas.
It is the middle point in winter.
It is the day to remember Christ presentation at the Temple.
His day of dedication.
It is a day to remember the gift of light that he brings to all.
It is a oppurtunity to talk and think about all the ways we can reflect His light in all the places our lives take us.
Even in the middle of our winters – spiritually, physically, emotionally.
It is also a day to eat Crepes or Tamales or both.
It is a oppurtunity to drink Hot Chocolate, light a candle or two and cozy up under blankets, embracing the gift of hopefilled light and the invitation to slow down the middle of our busy, sometimes confusing, lives.
This year our Candlemas will be simple.
Just the four of us, some candles, some savory crepes for dinner, and hot chocolate for dessert.
We will read Luke 2:22-40, we will laugh at silly jokes, argue over the last crepe, and give thanks for the gift of Christ light and the opportunity to reflect it. We will be reminded of our boys dedications and our own promises to each other, and we will bask briefly – before the dirty dishes and homework and bedtime squabbles in the miracle of their births and personalities, and we will be overwhelmed with gratitude that this is the life we have.
(That is, until someone spills their hot chocolate….)
Happy Candlemas my friends –
May you find a way to accept the invitation to slowness today and to celebrate the hopefilled light of Christ in the middle of winter,
J
This is exactly what I’ve been wanting to read today. Thank you. Our hot chocolate mix (the recipe from your book ‘A Homemade Year; The Blessings of Cooking, Crafting, and Coming Together’) is ready. We will celebrate Candlemas for the first time ever with beef stew, cornbread, and Apricot Cheese Crepes for dessert. Candles and scripture reading are at the ready. This just makes me smile. I’m so grateful.
Sounds like a lovely evening!