Blessings of Summer

“Your sun shall no longer go down,

Nor shall your moon withdraw itself;

For the Lord will be your everlasting light,

And the days of your mourning shall be ended.” Isaiah 60:20

I have never travelled to the Scandinavian countries where in the summer season the sun never sets. I wonder what it is like to exist in perpetual sunlight. Mind you I have also never travelled to the extremities of the southern hemisphere where at the same time as our summer there is 24 hours of no Sunlight.

It was a bit of a family joke that my Mum would have two thinks that she would often start her conversations with depending on the time of the year. As a new year dawned we would be greeted with, “Getting lighter isn’t it?” Or as summer faded into Autumn, “Getting darker isn’t it?

Some folk suffer from Seasonal Affected Disorder (SAD). The exact cause of SAD is not fully understood, but it's often linked to reduced exposure to sunlight during the shorter autumn and winter days.

The main theory is that a lack of sunlight might stop a part of the brain called the hypothalamus working properly, which may affect our sense of wellbeing.

C.H. Spurgeon tells of a man who laughed and asked, “What advantage has a religious man over anyone like myself? Does not the sun shine on me as on him, this fine day?” “Yes,” replied his companion, “but the religious man has two suns shining on him at once – one on his body, the other on his soul.” 

Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord,
all praise is yours, all glory, honour and blessings.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong;
no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.

We praise you, Lord, for all your creatures,
especially for Brother Sun,
who is the day through whom you give us light.

And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour,
of you Most High, he bears your likeness.

We praise you, Lord, for Sister Moon and the stars,
in the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.

We praise you, Lord, for Brothers Wind and Air,
fair and stormy, all weather's moods,
by which you cherish all that you have made.

We praise you, Lord, for Sister Water,
so useful, humble, precious and pure.

We praise you, Lord, for Brother Fire,
through whom you light the night.

He is beautiful, playful, robust, and strong.

We praise you, Lord, for Sister Earth,
who sustains us
with her fruits, coloured flowers, and herbs.

We praise and bless you, Lord, and give you thanks,
and serve you in all humility.

Extract from Canticle of the Sun, by St Francis of Assisi