And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. (Genesis 1:14-15 NRSV)
Contrary to the soothsayers and the horoscope writers (although I admit I look at my horoscope many days), the sun and the stars weren’t created to prognosticate the future.
For whatever reason, the seasons were part of the organization of the world that God deemed worthy and important. I am tremendously grateful for that bit of the Almighty’s wisdom. I love the four seasons: the change of weather, the appearance of the world, and the customs that have grown up around the seasons.
I know folks who would prefer a year-round summer, but I think that would be boring. Of course, maybe any season, if it were the same all year-round, would be boring!
However, God in His wisdom gave us variety.
So it is that we get to watch the beauty of the changing seasons. We get to wear different clothes in autumn than we did in summer. We get to enjoy the lightweight clothing of spring at the same time we watch the flowers bloom. And those of us who are still children at heart love to watch the falling snow, even though it doesn’t mean we get a snow day from our responsibilities.
Even the heavens are different in different seasons. The constellations we see are different at different times of the year. The color of the sky is bluer, more intense, in the autumn.
So now, in this in-between time, look up, and give thanks!