The 12 days of Christmas are behind us, but Christmastide continues until the Catholic Feast that we know as – Groundhog Day! It’s true! European Catholics brought the celebration to the United States in the late 1800s. It is based on customs from Candlemas, which is also the feast of the Purification, and the Presentation. Here’s a rhyme that was customary and shows the origins of Groundhog Day:
If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.”
Since we’re not done with Christmas yet, we’ll be singing Christmas music for a while more. It’s also the Season of Epiphany, and so we will also continue to honor the Three Kings.