The recent warm weather has meant than many farmers have been able to harvest their fields, though the early and late rain may well have ruined much that was growing.
But traditionally, at St. Andrew's, we celebrate our Harvest Festival in early October
In the Old Testament, because the climate in Palestine is different from ours, they had 3 harvest festivals. Passover was the start of the barley harvest, and 7 weeks later, at Pentecost, the wheat harvest was celebrated. Then in the autumn, after the gathering in of fruits and other foods, there was another big festival.
'“Each year every man in Israel must celebrate these three festivals: the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Harvest, and the Festival of Shelters. On each of these occasions, all men must appear before the Lord your God at the place he chooses, but they must not appear before the Lord without a gift for him. All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the Lord your God.' (Deuteronomy 16.16-17) The twin themes of celebration and generosity marked these special times.
As we don't live in a farming community, it is much harder for us to understand the pressures and culture of farming communities, which are so weather dependent. We just go shopping and buy what we want when we want, and too easily forget to return thanks to the Lord.
In response to this, it will be good for us, on this coming Sunday, deliberately to focus on the Lord's provision for us, not only in our food, but in all other aspects of life. When we are grateful, we will also discover that we are generous. That would be good.
Best wishes,
Richard
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