February 2, 2017
Groundhog Day

“As they (the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites) fled before Israel, while they were going down the slope of Beth-horon, the Lord threw down huge stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died; there were more who died because of the hailstones than the Israelites killed with the sword. On the day when the Lord gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, Joshua spoke to the Lord; and he said in the sight of Israel, “Sun, stand still at Gibeon, and Moon, in the valley of Aijalon.” And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in midheaven, and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord heeded a human voice; for the Lord fought for Israel. Then Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp at Gilgal.” Joshua 10:11-15

On this date, February 2, 1887, the first Official recognition of Groundhog Day is observed in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The first documented reference to Groundhog Day can be found in a diary entry, dated February 1841, by a Pennsylvania storekeeper named James Morris:

“Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate.”

From England comes the poem:
If Candlemas be fair and bright, Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain, Winter will not come again.

And from Scotland comes the poem:
If Candlemas Day is bright and clear, There’ll be two winters in the year.

So it seems that the celebration of Groundhog Day comes from a mix of pagan and religious origins. One of this cranky reverend’s favorite movies is Groundhog Day. From that movie comes these two quotes by weatherman Phil Connors:

Quote #1: “You want a prediction about the weather? You’re asking the wrong Phil. I’m going to give you a prediction about this winter? It’s going to be cold, it’s going to be dark and it’s going to last you for the rest of your lives!”

Quote #2: “When Chekhov saw the long winter, he saw a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope. Yet we know that winter is just another step in the cycle of life. But standing here among the people of Punxsutawney and basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts, I couldn’t imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter.”

The Cranky Reverend prays that this will be a short and lustrous winter.

Pastor Dave