Season of mists
This month as the evenings begin to draw in, autumn begins.
I have heard many say that autumn is their favourite season with trees turning from green to red, orange and gold. Damsons and blackberries adorn our hedgerows and early morning mists transform invisible cobwebs into glittering, bejewelled creations.
Of course, with autumn comes the time of gathering and harvest. On top of nature’s bounty come kilos of cultured vegetables and fruit begging to be eaten or preserved. Many hours can be spent chopping, boiling, or bottling to capture the goodness of hot summer days. All around are fields of crops; fodder beet, field beans, silage maize, lingering spring barley or winter wheat, which will be gathered together with the last cuts of silage.
Much like us, Jesus lived in an area which was both agricultural and beside a huge body of water – Lake Galilee. He would have witnessed the work required to harvest what was needed to provide for the people who lived there and frequently used illustrations from daily life.
Break Time?
Living in a tourist destination means that our lives are possibly involved with those who seek the rest and recuperation that can be found in this beautiful area. Our populations swell to accommodate thousands of visitors who desire the simple pleasures of being close to the ocean, the moors and Devonian villages. Even if we are not directly involved with the tourist trade, we will all be impacted by the increase in traffic and the buzz of shops and businesses serving the visitors.
Rest and recuperation is a vital part of life for us all. While those who are working in holiday businesses will keep their heads down until the end of the season, it is important that they too are able to have time out to stop and refresh themselves for the work of the next season and all of us regardless, need time to recharge our batteries.
The Extraordinary Ordinary
Were you aware we are in ‘Ordinary’ time? You might respond that, with the way the world, or even our country is at the moment, it is surely anything but ordinary! Yet in the church year, the time between the major festivals is known as Ordinary time.
It is a bit of a shame we associate the word ordinary with something common, yet in fact the word ordinary is derived from the Latin word ordo, from which we have the English word order. In effect, it simply means that the life of the church is ordered – it recognises a rhythm in life.
This time of the year we are in effect, just getting on with life. I have to say that as wonderful as Bank Holidays are, with so much going on and events to attend, it has been a quiet pleasure to simply get back to the ‘ordinary.’
Flaming June
As you read this article, I wonder whether we will be basking in long awaited summer heat or groaning under the grey skies that have been dogging us this year. Who knows?
However, flaming June will arrive, one way or another!
Hoping for the warmth of summer made me think about heat and particularly fire.
Science tells us that the Big Bang from which our universe originated was a tiny incredibly dense fireball of energy that exploded 13.8 billion years ago. From this, all matter in the universe was the result – including us.
Perfect Timing
This year it seems to me that the swallows and house martins who spend their summers in the UK are late this year. I am told someone first saw a swallow on 13th March, but although I have seen a few, the joyful, winged acrobats of the sky are taking their time to come in force to our cold, rain-soaked island.