Today is the 40th day since Christmas.
Hail, O full of grace, Virgin and Mother of God, from you has arisen the Sun of Justice, Christ our God, enlightening those who stand in darkness. You, too, O just Elder Simeon, rejoice for you carry in your arms the Redeemer of our souls, who grants us resurrection. (Troparion of the Feast)
As the Church celebrates this feast of encountering of humanity’s meeting of the Lord, Candlemas Day also is important in the lives of farmers. An old English song goes as follows:
“If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Come, Winter, have another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Go, Winter, and come not again.”