1 Peter 1:3-4 – “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.”
The celebration of Candlemas on February 2nd has many traditions. One tradition holds that the delicate Snowdrop or Candlemas Bell flower (galanthas nivalis) symbolizes hope. This sweet little flower’s blooms push their way up through the snow, blooming very early in the year, in the dead of winter, typically even before the first of February. Ancient folklore said an angel helped these flowers bloom and pointed them out to Eve as a sign of hope after her action caused sin and death to enter the world. Many Christians also see these flowers as symbolizing the hope of Christ in the world as these tiny little flowers defy the odds. They thrive in frigid winter temperatures and even start their new growth in snow.
What great symbolism for Christians! We live in a cold, inhospitable fallen world. But we, like the Candlemas flowers have the ability, with Christ’s love, to rise above the cold and darkness of sin to become a reflection of the hope of Christ in the world. I love the thought of these brave little flowers defying all odds, pushing their way through the snow, to bloom and share their beauty in the middle of a dark winter. And we, just like these flowers, have the ability to push our way through difficult and daunting times, defying the odds to raise our heads to bring light and joy to an otherwise cold and dark world.
What an inspiring thought – if these delicate little flowers can have this kind of strength, with the Lord’s help we can too!
Dear Lord: Thank you for being with us even through the darkest times and giving us the strength and hope to lift our heads above our troubles to be a symbol of light and love in a dark world. We praise your name and thank you for your amazing grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
- Lindy Bell
