Summer Thoughts

Today we talk about holidays where as once upon a time society referred to these special days as holy-days. For the word holiday comes from the Old English word hāligdæg (hālig "holy" + dæg "day"). The word originally referred only to special religious days. The modern use varies geographically. In North America, it means any dedicated day or period of celebration. In the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, holiday is often used instead of the word vacation.

The word holiday is only found in the book of Esther, but the concept of a day set aside to celebrate or remember is found throughout the Bible. The first time we read about God setting aside time as special is in regard to the Sabbath, in Genesis 2:1-3.

In Leviticus 23, God set aside feast days for His people. The term feast here is moed and can also be translated “appointed times.” These appointments are times God set aside to meet with His people, time for us to remember the mighty works of God on behalf of those who have lived before us.

Perhaps summer holidays are those times for spiritual as well as physical refreshment. Jeremiah 31:25 says, “For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.”

The German Lutheran hymn writer Paul Gerhardt 1607-1676 starts his 15 verse hymn says

Go forth, my heart, and seek delight

In this summer time so bright,

The bounties God displayeth,

The garden’s splendour go and see,

Behold how God for me and thee

Them gorgeously arrayeth.

He concludes the hymn with the words:

Grant me Thy paradise to share,

And more fruit may I ever bear

While I am going thither.

Thine honour, Lord, to me is dear,

Thee and Thee only shall I here

And yonder serve for ever.

Creating God,

you are the source of summer’s splendour—

the beauty and fragrance of delicate flowers,

and sweet sound of birdsong.

We come to you this day

with delight and gladness,

grateful for all of your wonders.

As the fields produce their harvest,

may your love grow within us,

that we too may produce a harvest

of love, hope, and joy. Amen.