The Lord is my light and my salvation. I fear no one. The Lord protects my life. I am afraid of no one. Psalm 27:1 NET
Although this verse is true in many ways, this year I think many are fearing Phil the Ground Hog in Punsxutawney PA, that he might bring news of 6 more weeks of winter. Now although it’s a big celebration, the good people of Punsxutawney say it’s a great way to take everything a bit less seriously and break up the boredom of winter. It’s just fun to see if he’s going to see his shadow and become so stressed that it actually alters the weather patterns in North America! And that disturbance means 6 more weeks of winter.
Although Phil really can’t shake up the weather like that, Groundhog Day has to do with the seasons. February 2 is the midpoint within a few days between the winter solstice and the beginning of Spring equinox. It was celebrated in Europe as the time that light begins to win over the darkness, as with the dawn when Phil comes out of his burrow. It’s seeing the beginning of birth over death as farm animals begin to prepare for the birth of their young. It’s seeing the earth and all nature come back to life.
Of course we all love the beauty and warmth of Spring. But we can endure the winter because we don’t have to fear, for God is our protection and our light in the darkness until the light overcomes the darkness. But the good news is, He overcame the darkness over 2000 years ago and the darkness will never be able to extinquish His Light. That light now lives within us, so if we see the darkness, let’s run our light to it and send the darkness away, never to return.
Oh, by the way, in Germany, from where the tradition began here in America, it was Badger Day since they had no Groundhogs.
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