Tradition, Nature, and Scripture confirm that hope is an eternal quality of life.

The month of February has an interesting and, from some points of view, special day. February 2, called Candlemas Day in the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches, celebrates the Purification of the Blessed Virgin or, in the Eastern Church, the presentation of Christ in the Temple. The word Candlemas is derived from the procession of candles during mass and is inspired by the words of Simeon "a light to lighten the Gentiles" (Luke 2:32). On this day, many churches bless the candles to be used in the ensuing year. Another tradition, more related to the cycle of the seasons than to ecclesiastical calendars, has granted the day an aura of ambiguous importance.

Each year some folks look forward to February 2, Groundhog Day, with eager anticipation because it is used as a prognosticator of weather patterns. On this day, the groundhog supposedly emerges from his hibernation burrow, sees his shadow, and returns to the cozy confines of his den to sleep through six week of upcoming bad weather. If, on the other hand, the perceptive groundhog does not see his shadow, he does not return to his burrow and, instead, starts his regular routine of foraging. This activity, folklore suggests, means better weather is definitely ahead, even before the official arrival of spring a month and a half later.

This whimsical day actually marks the middle of winter and has a more substantial hint for all of us. It points to an indomitable spirit within the human heart and suggests that, basically, most of us are eternally optimistic about life, for we live by hope. Although it is the middle of winter and the days may be gray while the north wind howls and the driving snow swirls, we take heart, look ahead, and go about our life's work. We do so because we know that, as surely as day follows night, gray days will be followed by sunshine, and spring will come to bring welcome warmth to quicken the earth.

Almost twenty centuries ago, a man named Paul, who left an indelible imprint upon western civilization, wrote to friends he desired to visit in Rome saying, "We rejoice in our hope" because "hope does not disappoint" (Romans 5:5). Therefore, even in the middle of winter with its bleak grayness, most of us can declare with O. Sydney Barr, "Every moment now is bright with promise."

W. Howard Coop is a retired United Methodist Minister and has been a Mason since 1952. He is a Past Master of Lancaster Lodge No. 104, currently serving as Chaplain, and a member of W. R. Selby, Sr., Royal Arch Chapter 4, Danville, Kentucky, and the Scottish Rite Bodies of Louisville, Kentucky.