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Groundhog Day is a tradition observed in America. However, it
had its origins in two earlier festivals and observances, the
Christian observance of Candlemas Day and the pagan Celtic
festival of Imbolc. Candlemas Day was celebrated in Europe on
February second, which was forty days after Christmas and was
held to commemorate three events:
1) The purification of the Virgin Mary after the birth of Jesus.
2) The presentation of Jesus in the temple and
3) the meeting of Jesus and Simeon in this temple where he
designated Jesus as "a light of revelation to the Gentiles and
the glory of thy people Israel." (Luke 2:32)
On Candlemas Day, the priests and the Pope, blessed candles and
gave them to the faithful to light and put in their windows.
The candles were given to symbolize Jesus, and the words of
Simeon that He, Jesus was "a light of revelation to the Gentiles
and the glory of thy people Israel." (Luke 2:32) A procession
was formed following the blessing and lighting of these candles
as the people walked to mass. After which they brought the
candles home, light them and placed them in their windows.
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