Thursday, February 9, 2017
Thursday, February 2, 2017
February 2nd - holy day and holiday
February 2nd marks one of the earliest feasts of the Christian calendar. It is the definitive end of the Christmas season. While some Christians remove their Christmas decorations on Twelfth Night, Epiphany Eve, others extend the season to February 2nd. Candlemas celebrates the feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. Candles are traditionally blessed in church and brought home to be used on family occasions such as christenings and weddings. They are lighted in time of storm and sickness.
© Vera Holschneider
The photo above is from the church of Saint John in Luneberg, Germany.
Candlemas is an ecclesiastical feast celebrated on February 2nd and with all those candles we can think of it as also marking the return of light in the northern hemisphere. The days are getting longer as the sun rises earlier and sets later.
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Of course we can't forget our favorite animal prognosticator of the vernal days ahead.
Will shadows be seen this morning? Will spring be early this year?
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