This year February 2, Groundhog Day, slipped past without much recognition of the celebrated day that offers a prediction of the coming spring. According to tradition, if the furry critter sees his shadow and emerges from his burrow, we are in store for 6 more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t and retreats into his dwelling, the weather forecast is for milder weather in the interim. Since 1886 the celebration of Groundhog Day on a grand scale has been associated with western Pennsylvania, the home of the legendary Punxsutawney Phil, the famed rodent. As it turned out, Punxsutawney Phil did behold his shadow this year, indicating a forecast of 6 more week of cold weather although other groundhogs around the world provided opposing predictions of a short winter.
Pierce the heart and chill the soul with its somber tones.
Bemoans winter’s wilderness, lifeless and hollow.
Bend in the wind, vacant lodges closed for the season.
Yet tender buds sleep in blankets of ice and snow.
Buds wrapped in snow are stronger than before the storm.
Soon the voice of the bridegroom will ring in the night.
When ice-covered buds will blossom: firstfruits of spring.
A little grey robin, as he was flying to the Holy Land, saw Christ hanging on the cross. His heart filled with sadness. He noticed the crown of thorns the soldiers placed on the crucified Savior. The small bird, forgetting his timidity, flew down to remove a thorn from the brow of Christ. As he did so, a drop of Christ’s blood stained the little bird’s breast. The robin, through his act of love, earned the red badge of courage.
From this time forth, all robins have had red breasts as reminder that one of them was kind to the Lord. Thus, the robin is truly the harbinger of spring. He welcomes Easter with his cheerful note of hope, reminding us that from death comes life.
To make sense of the immense ache that stays.
Despite the fact that Punxsutawney Phil, the celebrated groundhog from Pennsylvania, saw his shadow, predicting another 6 weeks of winter weather, much of the country has already experience record-high temperatures in January. In many places spring flowers are already in bloom. A couple of days ago, I noticed three trees in full bloom with delicate pink blossoms, and I thought it looks like it’s going to be an early spring this year.
With the especially harsh winter weather this year, we must remember that "Spring is Coming!"
Robins are generally thought to be a sign that "Spring is coming!"
Even in winter, ice-covered buds are growing and waiting to burst forth with new life in the coming Spring.
winter is a dream deferred.
with our faces toward the rising sun.
If winter comes. . . can spring?
When they look into the gray winter sky.
And find full return in the Spring’s new gold.
The term “firstfruits” could be used to describe the return on the investments of dreams deferred. References to firstfruits abound in some of my poetry, such as “Even in Winter” and “Accoucheur to Spring.” The term “accoucheur” is the French equivalent of a male “mid-wife” or male attendant at a birthing.
and labors with birth pangs together until now.
That reveals the Father’s deep desire to bless.
To transform the gray terrain to emerald green.
And seek to know His plans and make them my pursuits.
The Lord of the harvest gathers precious firstfruits.
Yearns to experience the wonder of childbirth.
Another reminder that Spring is coming!
To be like Christ, the brightness of your glory.
To convey the power of your message.
My true calling as Christ’s ambassador.
Like Christ, I am firstfruits of God’s intent.
and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
As the Lord Himself shall wipe away every tear.
Who left behind earthly joys to follow the Lamb.
And drink from the fountain of endless blessedness.
Portal to the graceful curve of infinity.
The daffodil is often “The First Flower” to signal Spring’s arrival.
With the arrival of Spring, come an array of flowers that usher in the new season, when we shall see “The First Flower.” This poem was inspired by an experience occurring more than 30 years ago when I noticed that the daffodils were just beginning to bud and open up into vibrant yellow flowers. As I entered the dining hall for lunch, I notice one particular flower was on the verge of opening up. When I returned after about an hour, the one daffodil had blossomed during that brief period of time, reminding me of another Spring that shall likewise occur even more rapidly.
Despite the harshest winter weather, when seemingly endless ice and snow accumulate and aggrevate, remember the words of Robin Redbreast, and enjoy this magnificent rendering of Steven Curtis Chapman’s exquisite musical composition, a reminder that, indeed,“Spring is coming!