The Feast of the Annunciation

 

"And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father: and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. And of his kingdom there shall be no end."Luke 1:30-32

A little Christmas in March. During this Holy Week comes the day we hear the glorious news that our God becomes Flesh. He became Flesh so that He could know pain and grief, carry our sins, be stricken, smitten and afflicted. 

"Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel." Isaiah 7:14

We'll sing this beautiful hymn, Gabriel's Message, eat Blueberry Muffins (the color blue reminding us of Mary) and rejoice that our Lord put on tiny flesh and hid Himself in Mary's womb...for us.

"O who am I, that for my sake my Lord should take frail flesh, and die?"

Some fun for kids:

Gabriel and Mary paper figures  

Popsicle Stick Puppets 

Some more food ideas for today can be found HERE.

Handel's Messiah Texts

My inlaws took us to see our city's orchestra perform Handel's Messiah last night. Although often performed at Christmas, it was written as a Lenten and Easter meditiation.  I loved hearing the whole piece from beginning to end, Old Testament and New Testament all mixed together.  The program for the concert summraized the piece beautifully:

Divided into a symbolic three sections, Messiah tells no story in explicit dramatic terms, but rather provides a series of meditations on the prophesy and realization of God's plan for the redemption of mankind through the coming of the Messiah; the accomplishment of that redemption through the sacrifice of Jesus; and an extended hymn of thanks for the final overthrow of death. 

This would be a great list of verses to memorize!  Do see it performed live, if you get a chance.



Our local theater

1. Sinfonia (Overture)
2. Tenor Recitative. —

Isaiah 40:1-3 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

3. Tenor Air —

Isaiah 40:4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low, the crooked straight, and the rough places plain.

4. Chorus —

Isaiah 40:5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

5. Bass Recitative —

Haggai 2:6,7;  Thus saith the Lord of Hosts; Yet once, a little while and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come.

 Malachi 3:1 The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: Behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts.

6. Bass Air —

Malachi 3:2 But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner’s fire.

7. Chorus —

Malachi 3:3  And He shall purify the sons of Levi, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

8. Alto Recitative —

Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23  Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call his name Emmanuel, God with us.

9. Alto Air and Chorus —

Isaiah 40:9  O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain; O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, and be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

Isaiah 60:1  Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

10. Bass Recitative —

Isaiah 60:2,3 For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

11. Bass Air —

Isaiah 9:2  The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

12. Chorus —

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

13. Pifa (Pastoral Symphony)

 

14. Soprano Recitative —

Luke 2:8,9  There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo! the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

15. Soprano Recitative —

 Luke 2:10,11  And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

16. Soprano Recitative —

 

Luke 2:13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

17. Chorus —

Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will toward men.

18. Soprano Air —

 

Zechariah 9:9,10 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee. He is the righteous Savior. And he shall speak peace unto the heathen.

19. Alto Recitative —

 

Isaiah 35:5,6 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing.

20. Alto Air —

Isaiah 40:11; He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; and he shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

Matthew 11:28, 29 Come unto Him, all ye that labour, that are heavy laden, and He shall give you rest. Take his yoke upon you, and learn of Him; for he is meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

21. Chorus —

 

Matthew 11:30 His yoke is easy, and His burthen is light.

Part Two

22. Chorus —

John 1:29  Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world.

23. Alto Air —

 

Isaiah 53:3;   He was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.

Isaiah 50:6  He gave His back to the smiters, and His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: He hid not His face from shame and spitting.

24. Chorus —

Isaiah 53:4,5 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him.

25. Chorus —

Isaiah 53:5  And with His stripes we are healed.

26. Chorus —

Isaiah 53:6  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

27. Tenor Recitative —

Psalm 22:7 All they that see Him laugh him to scorn: they shoot out their lips, and shake their heads, saying:

28. Chorus —

Psalm 22:8 He trusted in God that He would deliver Him: let Him deliver Him, if he delight in Him.

29. Soprano Recitative —

Psalm 69:20  Thy rebuke hath broken His heart; He is full of heaviness. He looked for some to have pity on Him but there was no man; neither found He any to comfort Him.
 

30. Soprano Air —

Lamentations 1:12  Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto His sorrow!

31. Tenor Recitative —

Isaiah 53:8  He was cut off out of the land of the living; for the transgression of Thy people was He stricken.

32. Tenor Air —

Psalm 16:10  But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell; nor didst Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption.

33. Chorus —

Psalm 24:7-10 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory.

34. Tenor Recitative —

Hebrews 1:5  For unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten hee?

35. Chorus —

Hebrews 1:6  Let all the angels of God worship Him.

36. Bass Air —

Psalm 68:18  Thou art gone up on high, Thou hast led captivity captive, and received gifts for men; yea, even for Thine enemies, that the Lord God might dwell among them.

37. Chorus —

Psalm 68:11  The Lord gave the word: great was the company of the preachers.

38. Duetto for 2 Alto Solos and Chorus —

Isaiah 52:7, 9 How beautiful are the feet of him that bringeth glad tidings of salvation; that saith unto Sion, Thy God reigneth!

Break forth into joy, glad tidings. Thy God reigneth!

39. Chorus —

Romans 10:18Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words unto the ends of the world.

40. Bass Air —

Psalm 2:1,2  Why do the nations so furiously rage together: why do the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth rise up, and the rulers take counsels together against the Lord and His anointed.

41. Chorus —

Psalm 2:3  Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their yokes from us.

42. Tenor Recitative —

Psalm 2:4  He that dwelleth in the heavens shall laugh them to scorn; the Lord shall have them in derision.

43. Tenor Air —

Psalm 2:9  Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

44. Chorus —

Revelation 19:6, 11:15, 19:16  Hallelujah! for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. The Kingdom of this world is become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ: and He shall reign for ever and ever. King of kings, Lord of lords.

Part Three

45. Soprano Air —

Job 19:25, 26; I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.

1 Corinthians 15:20 For now is Christ risen from the dead, the firstfruits of them that sleep.

46. Chorus —

1 Corinthians 15:21, 22  Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

47. Bass Recitative —

1 Corinthians 15:51, 52  Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep; but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.

48. Bass Air —

1 Corinthians 15:52, 53  The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

49. Alto Air —

Corinthians 15:54b  Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

50. Duetto for Alto and Tenor —

1 Corinthians 15:55, 56  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.

51. Chorus —

1 Corinthians 15:57  But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

52. Alto Air —

Romans 8:31, 33, 34  If God be for us, who can be against us? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is at the right hand of God, who makes intercession for us.

53. Chorus —

Revelation 5:12, 13 Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by His blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Blessing and honour, glory and power to be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. Amen.
 

Annunciation of Our Lord (March 25)

A repost from a few years ago.  Isn't it wonderful to celebrate the Annunciation so close to Good Friday and Easter?  "And the Lord will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end!"

_______________________________________________________________________

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." Luke 1:26-33

LSB 356

12th century Sinai Icon

Today's feast will be very art-centric at our house, if you can't tell. The Annunciation is probably the most-painted Biblical subject in the West. The subjects are simple (just an angel, Mary, the Holy Spirit, and usually some architecture and fleur-de-lis, representing Mary's virginity). If your kids are studying a particular artist or art style, I'm sure you can google and find a relevant Annunciation. It's also very easy to compare styles using 15 or so representative Annunciations, since the subject is so simple.

After reading the account, we'll talk about which paintings we like best and why, what parts properly reflect the Biblical account, and which are the artists' imagination.

Trivia
*In Greek the feast of the Annunciation is called Euangelismos ("spreading the Good News"). Truly the Good News began at the Incarnation, and culminated at Jesus' Death and Resurrection. I'm going to try to tie Jesus' conception and birth to our daily Lenten themes (we have been dwelling on Jesus' sufferings and death).

*March 25th began the New Year from 525-1752, "since the era of grace begins with the incarnation of Christ." When England adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1752, it was moved to January 1.

*Traditionally, John the Baptist's and Jesus's conception dates are also their death dates (borrowing an older Jewish tradition that prophets died or were martyred on their birthdays).

* Today is Name-Day for all Marys, Marias, Maries, etc. The babe in my womb will be a Mary Elizabeth, if it is a girl. (Does anyone know why today is the Name-Day, and not August 15th?)

* In some places in Europe this day is called "The Feast of the Swallows," since around March 25 the swallows return from their winter home. (Austrian saying: "When Gabriel does the message bring / Return the swallows, comes the spring" ).

Activities

* Talk about when life begins, and pray to God to protect all unborn babies. Lutheran's for Life has some helpful resources, including this article.

* Talk about what fleur-de-lis (or just lilies in general) represent in art. Originally they symbolized Christ's purity (think Easter), but eventually they came to represent Mary's chastity and virginity, and reference Song of Songs 2:2 "As a lily among brambles /so is my love among the young women." Of course, this verse can be read as Christ speaking of his Church, but it is acceptable to see Mary as a type (symbol) of the Church, or New Jerusalem.

I find it interesting that in many of the paintings above, the angel is holding the lily, or giving it to Mary. Christ's purity covers His mother's guilt, even while he is being conceived.

*Listen to Bach's Cantata BWV 1 "Wie schon leuchtet der Morgenstern" Lyrics here. Recordings here and here.

*Coloring pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

The Purification of Mary and Presentation of Our Lord (February 2)

An edited version of what I posted last year:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,

according to your word;

30 for my eyes have seen your salvation

31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

                            and for glory to your people Israel.”                                    

Luke 2:22-32

Hymns: Variations on the Nunc Dimittis LSB 937, 938 ; TLH 131

The Presentation of our Lord is when we swing from focusing on the Incarnation to concentrating on the Crucifixion. (Of course, the two can never be completely separated.)   The canticles of Simeon (and Anna) in Luke 2 reveal to us who the Christ child really is (God's incarnation we celebrate at Christmas and Epiphany), and what he will do (save us from our sins by his work on the cross and resurrection, which we celebrate at Easter).

Activities and Lore:

This is the end of Christmastide, so our very last Christmas decoration, the Nativity Scene was boxed away .  We also wrapped up all our Christmas picture books, to be reopened next Advent (HT Aubri, I think).

It was popular in the Western church to hold processions, carrying candles to be blessed at the service (hence "Candlemas").   So, we will light a bunch of candles for dinner.  At festalcelebrations.com I got the idea to make our own candles.

Coloring page!

Crepes in France.  These are only to be eaten after 8pm, and if the crepe-maker can flip a crepe successfully while holding a coin in his other hand, the family will have success all year.

Tamales in Central and South America.  Whoever gets the coin (or metal doll) in their piece of Rosca De Reyes (a version of King's Cake) on the eve of Epiphany has to make the tamales and throw a party on Candlemas.

Our Groundhog Day grew out of older Candlemas superstitions ("If Candlemas Day is clear and bright, winter will have another bite.  If Candlemas brings cloud and rain, winter is gone and will not come again"). 

The Ascension of our Lord (June 2)

Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.   Romans 8:34

Forty days has Christ been risen, and today He ascends to the Right Hand of God, to forever make intercession for us, as our High Priest.

Hymns:  LSB 491-495
XII Handel: Thou Art Gone Up On High (HT: my daughter's godfather)

Coloring pages: Free Christ Images,  St. Andrew Missal

Traditional Activities: picnicking (preferably on a mountain or hill), play-acting the Ascension, processions.

Food: fowl (since Jesus "flew" up to heaven; some countries serve cornish hens)

Other fun stuff: general grade-school activities

We are still in Easter, and on our way to Pentecost. Since I am new to the joys of the Church Year (only 7-8 years or so), I love discovering the deep, Scriptural theology embedded in each season, and how every season is not true and beautiful in itself, but only in light of all the other seasons and celebrations.  The first time of the church I loved was Advent.  I loved the overlap of looking forward to Christ's first and second comings, the mixture of anticipation and repentance, of welcoming The Year of Our Lord, and The End Times, and also looking forward to our final Resurrection, when He will be Our Judge, and that will be a good, not terrifying thing.  The second was Epiphany....

This year is the year of the Chief of Feasts for me.  I have never loved and appreciated Easter more than this year.  And I think the key to my appreciation is seeing the Easter season in its entirety: Lent, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension, and Pentecost.  They follow one after another, and our whole life in Christ is slowly--or swiftly!--acted out: Our perpetual repentance, His gifts given to us at the Last Supper; His Passion for the atonement of the whole world; His Resurrection for our own bodily resurrection; His Ascension to assume the throne as King and plead as Priest; and the sending of the Pareclete, the Advocate, and the birth of the Church.

Taste and see that the Lord is good. 

Praise the Lord and forget not all his benefits.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

The Annunciation of our Lord (March 25)

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,  to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!"  But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."                   Luke 1:26-33

LSB 356

12th century Sinai Icon

 

Today's feast will be very art-centric at our house, if you can't tell.  The Annunciation is probably the most-painted Biblical subject in the West.  The subjects are simple (just an angel, Mary, the Holy Spirit, and usually some architecture and fleur-de-lis, representing Mary's virginity).  If your kids are studying a particular artist or art style, I'm sure you can google and find a relevant Annunciation.  It's also very easy to compare styles using 15 or so representative Annunciations, since the subject is so simple.

After reading the account, we'll talk about which paintings we like best and why, what parts properly reflect the Biblical account, and which are the artists' imagination. 

Trivia
*In Greek the feast of the Annunciation is called Euangelismos ("spreading the Good News").  Truly the Good News began at the Incarnation, and culminated at Jesus' Death and Resurrection.  I'm going to try to tie Jesus' conception and birth to our daily Lenten themes (we have been dwelling on Jesus' sufferings and death).

*March 25th began the New Year from 525-1752, "since the era of grace begins with the incarnation of Christ."  When England adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1752, it was moved to January 1.

*Traditionally, John the Baptist's and Jesus's conception dates are also their death dates (borrowing an older Jewish tradition that prophets died or were martyred on their birthdays). 

* Today is Name-Day for all Marys, Marias, Maries, etc.  The babe in my womb will be a Mary Elizabeth, if it is a girl.  (Does anyone know why today is the Name-Day, and not August 15th?)

* In some places in Europe this day is called "The Feast of the Swallows," since around March 25 the swallows return from their winter home. (Austrian saying: "When Gabriel does the message bring / Return the swallows, comes the spring" ). 

Activities

* Talk about when life begins, and pray to God to protect all unborn babies.  Lutheran's for Life has some helpful resources, including this article.

* Talk about what fleur-de-lis (or just lilies in general) represent in art.  Originally they symbolized Christ's purity (think Easter), but eventually they came to represent Mary's chastity and virginity, and reference Song of Songs 2:2 "As a lily among brambles /so is my love among the young women." Of course, this verse can be read as Christ speaking of his Church, but it is acceptable to see Mary as a type (symbol) of the Church, or New Jerusalem.

I find it interesting that in many of the paintings above, the angel is holding the lily, or giving it to Mary.  Christ's purity covers His mother's guilt, even while he is being conceived.

*Listen to Bach's Cantata BWV 1 "Wie schon leuchtet der Morgenstern"  Lyrics here.  Recordings here and here.

*Coloring pages:  Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

Feast of the Transfiguration

 

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”

Matthew 17:5

The Purification of Mary and Presentation of Our Lord (February 2)

And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”                                    Luke 2:22-32

Hymns: Variations on the Nunc Dimittis (LSB 937, 938); TLH 131

(Found another wonderful art resource: biblical-art.com)

Candlemas, as the Presentation was popularly called in the West, is the hinge where we swing from thoughts primarily of the Incarnation to thoughts of the Crucifixion. (Of course, the two can never be completely separated.)  It is the end of the Christmas season!

We are still in Epiphany, and the canticles of Simeon (and Anna) in Luke 2 reveal to us who the Christ child really is (God's incarnation we celebrate at Christmas and Epiphany), and what he will do (save us from our sins by his work on the cross and resurrection, which we celebrate at Easter).

It was popular in the Western church to hold processions, carrying candles to be blessed at the service (hence "Candlemas").

Activities and Lore:


Coloring page!

Traditional Candlemas recipes:
Crepes in France.  These are only to be eaten after 8pm, and if the crepe-maker can flip a crepe successfully while holding a coin in his other hand, the family will have success all year.

Tamales in Central and South America.  Whoever gets the coin (or metal doll) in their piece of Rosca De Reyes (a version of King's Cake) on the eve of Epiphany has to make the tamales and throw a party on Candlemas.

Our Groundhog Day grew out of older Candlemas superstitions ("If Candlemas Day is clear and bright, winter will have another bite.  If Candlemas brings cloud and rain, winter is gone and will not come again").  I guess we in the Midwest are safe.  Spring is coming early :)