Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
It is now officially fall. Fall is my favorite season. The crisp mornings, the changing leaves, and the return of fall comfort foods always make me happy. Already I have added back soups, chili, and hotdishes to my menu – plus roast squash, sweet and delicious. When my son, Cory, was growing up, he didn’t call these comfort foods. He called them “sad foods”. They were sad to him because they represented the end of summer, the end of daylight after supper, and the warning bell that the cold, dark days of winter were just around the corner. What brought comfort to me brought sadness to him.
In the Jewish calendar, the start of fall is clearly more celebration than sadness, for it marks the beginning of the new year (even though it’s not the first month). Yes, I know it’s confusing, but the new Jewish year begins on the seventh month of their calendar, which falls in September or October of our own. This fall, the first day of the Jewish year 5787 began on the evening of September 11 in our calendar. “Rosh Hashanah”, as the new year’s celebration is called now, was called Yom Teruah (Day of Trumpet Blasts) in the bible (see Leviticus 23:24). Traditionally, apples, honey, and other sweet foods were eaten in hopes of having a sweet year. Though not a time of sadness, it was a time for reflection and repentance.
So what does fall feel like to you? Is it a time of celebration and looking forward to new things? Or is it time to dwell on what is ending? I guess it’s all a matter of perspective. No matter the season, the bible tells us to have an attitude of prayer, thanks, and rejoicing. Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice!” Summer was great, but fall is also a great time to rejoice and give thanks to God. In fact, every season is.
Enjoy your fall.
Pastor Mark