We are entering my favorite time of the year. Next Sunday is the autumnal equinox. There are two equinox each year. One in September and the other in March. This is when the sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night is nearly equal. Autumn begins this year on Sunday the 23rd.
Autumn is my absolutely favorite season. Maybe that’s because I was born back east, in Pennsylvania. I grew up with the fragrances of fall. We played in the fallen leaf piles and I still recognize that aroma. The trees in fall in the east are magnificent with color. I remember once flying into Pittsburgh in the fall and seeing the blazing colors for miles and miles as we made our approach. People come from all over to see the fall foliage in the east. I wish I could see it one more time.
I love autumn for other reasons as well. The cooler days always appeal to me (not a fan of summer). The shorter days appeal to me also (hate going to bed at 10 PM with the sun still shining in the window!). And, of course, autumn signals the approach of the holiday season, Thanksgiving through Christmas.
I know consumerism has tried to stretch the holiday season. In the stores it now begins in August! And they have tried to include Halloween (a big money-maker). But in my heart, the true holiday season begins with Thanksgiving.
That is when our hearts are reminded once again to be grateful. It is often when we begin to count our blessings, and of course, we celebrate the coming of the greatest blessing of all in the birth of Jesus. As Christians, that gratefulness and thanksgiving should be ours every day. And it is, but it’s still nice to be reminded at Thanksgiving of the goodness of our God.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.” [Psalm 100:4]
