This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

It's Groundhog Day tomorrow. What an event!

It's not a church holiday or a national day of celebration, but it nevertheless causes a fair amount of excitement. For those of you who don't know, each year, on February 2nd, an army of reporters and guests descend on Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to see the weather predictions of Phil, their grand groundhog. His shadow is supposed to say whether we can expect six more weeks of winter. In all honesty, I must confess I'm not sure whether the shadow means a longer winter, or a shorter winter. All in all, it's not important. What is important is that people love to celebrate -even if it's a groundhog's shadow.

Thankfully, we have many other, very real causes for celebration.

The birth of a child, a promotion at work, a good report card, a teenager passing his driver's test, a family reunited -all are wonderful events in our lives.

But as great as these causes for celebration are, they are nothing compared to the celebration taking place in peoples' hearts when they realize the crucified and risen Christ is with them through all the changing seasons of the year.

With the ever-living Savior watching over us, it doesn't make much difference whether the cold blasts of winter are blowing or the warm winds of summer are wafting down. The Lord is with us, and nothing, not shadows, or hard realities can frighten us. That's a real cause for celebration on this Groundhog Day, and always.


From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"



THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, through every day, through every season, You are with us. We celebrate in this--that You loved us enough to lay down Your life for us and make every day new. Blessed be Your Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Genesis 36-38    Matthew 21:1-22

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