Candlemas not Groundhog Day

For those who missed it, this day, the 2nd of February, is also the day known as Candlemas.  It's a Catholic thing.  For those in Protestant-land who lament the replacing of Christmas with that abstract, non-committal winter holiday that happens to be centered around a shopping day that occurs six days before the New Year, it's time to get a little of what was given.  I have no idea if the reason for Groundhog Day was simply to replace an old Catholic Tradition with anything that wasn't a Catholic Tradition.  But over the generations, I can guarantee that few if any are aware that this date actually should carry some meaning.  It comes, the 40th day after Christmas, with the usual stockpile of traditions, foods, customs, and all those bells and whistles that once marked a civilization seeped in the story of the Christian faith.  Now, its greatest moment for reflection is a groundhog.  Here, at the always informative, if not a bit traditional, Fisheaters, we have a  breakdown of some traditional meanings and approaches to this forgotten day.