Scripture: Luke 2:22-40
Script
Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!
Sammy: Good morning, everyone!
Pastor: Sammy, today is a very special day.
Sammy: Yes it is! Happy Groundhog’s Day!
Pastor: No, Sammy. I mean, today is Groundhog’s Day, but that’s not what I was talking about.
Sammy: (CHOOSE) Punxsutawney Phil saw/didn’t see his shadow, so there will be six more weeks of winter/an early spring.
Pastor: Oh, Sammy.
Sammy: Pastor, these events are important in the world of animals and farmers. We have to know when spring is coming, and Phil is our expert weather-groundhog. There was a groundhog ball and a groundhog banquet this week in his honor. Punxsutawney Phil is famous.
Pastor: Here we go again.
Sammy: Pastor, did you know that Groundhog’s Day is actually rooted in a special day called Candlemas Day? Christians would bring their candles to the church on Candlemas Day to have them blessed, and this blessing would bring blessings into their house for the rest of winter. Did you tell the congregation to bring their candles today?
Pastor: Well, not but I–
Sammy: So eventually, Candlemas Day evolved and had weather predictions attached to it. There’s an old English song that says, “If Candlemas be fair and bright/Come, Winter, have another flight;/If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,/Go Winter, and come not again.”
Pastor: I am not seeing how the Groundhog fits in here.
Sammy: The groundhog’s name is Phil. Punxsutawney Phil. German Christians introduced a new tradition where they had little hedgehogs running around. If the hedgehog saw his shadow, then there would be six more weeks of Winter.
Pastor: Punxsutawney Phil is not a hedgehog. He’s a Groundhog.
Sammy: Yes I know he’s a groundhog, Pastor. When the German Christians arrived to the United States, they had a hard time finding hedgehogs, but Groundhogs were everywhere. Punxsutawney Phil was elected by the animals to serve as the chief weatherman on Candlemas Day, and he’s been predicting the weather since 1887.
Pastor: You mean to tell me that Punxsutawney Phil has been predicting the weather since 1887. He’s been alive since 1887.
Sammy: Exactly. That’s why he’s famous.
Pastor: Sammy, I am glad you shared all of this information about Candlemas and Groundhog’s Day with us.
Sammy: You’re welcome.
Pastor: Hearing about traditions in our church is always good. Lots of wonderful things we do today were started by Christians before us. Let’s say a prayer. Please fold your hands and bow your heads with me. Dear Jesus, thank you for inspiring your sons and daughters to seek blessings. Thank you for helping us come to you in the middle of Winter for comfort. We look forward to celebrating the joy of your resurrection and the new life we get to experience in you this Spring. Amen.
Sammy: Bye, everyone. Happy Groundhog’s Day!
Pastor: Bye, Sammy!
