Here we are on the first of February, the eve of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin, and there is a strange sense of excitement in the air. Nothing to do with lectionary or liturgy I’m afraid to say, but a popular celebration that we have made it through the month of January without any severe weather. A brief five inches of snow fell ten days ago, but that melted and was washed away within a short time, confusing both the birds and the daffodils (which are sprouting in my driveway.)
To many people this may not be the most exciting of topics, but for a small east island community that this time last year had had its third major snow storm it is cause enough to celebrate. By Candlemas 2011 there was a foot of hard snow on the ground, much of which was to remain until middle March. Last winter the line “earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone” was never more apt.
Of course all that could change in the weeks ahead, but even if Mother Nature decides to send a storm we can take it – for spiritually and psychologically we will be ready for it. After all, Easter is only some eight weeks away!
"February makes a bridge and March breaks it." (George Herbert)
