If Candlemas Day be fair and bright,
Winter will have another flight
If on Candlemas Day it be shower and rain,
Winter is gone and will not come again.

If Candlemas Day be damp and black,
It will carry cold winter away on its back.
If Candlemas Day is bright and clear,
There’ll be two winters in the year.

Candlemas is a Christian celebration of Jesus, the Light of the World. It comes at the same time as a pagan celebration of the midpoint of winter, halfway between the shortest day of the year and the day of the spring equinox. However, Christians celebrated the day as the ending of the Christmas season and a day of blessing of the candles used in worship for the new year. It seems to me to be a good day to light a few candles myself, and remember not only that Jesus is our Light, but also that he said, “You are the light of the world. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Here’s more about The Loveliness of Candlemas from a Catholic point of view, lots of ideas and thoughts on celebrating the feast of Candlemas.

Try Kelly at BigAlittlea for more Poetry Friday.