Dear Friends

After the dark days of winter, it’s good to see the sun rising that wee bit earlier each day, and setting that wee bit later. As we enter March, the start of spring is not far off. Officially, spring begins on the vernal equinox, when there are 12 hours between sunrise and sunset. This year, the vernal equinox falls on 20 March, and spring officially starts - the weather, of course, may have other ideas!

For many ancient civilisations, the vernal equinox marked the first day of the new year. This can be clearly seen in the names of September, October, November and December, which come from the Latin for 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th, months, meaning March was the first month. Some time during the first, or second, centuries before the birth of Christ, the Romans moved the first month of the year to January. Although there are many theories, no one really knows why they did this, and it has stuck.

While there is always a big celebration, Hogmanay in Scotland, to see in the new year, March brings many more obvious changes in our lives: thick winter clothing is gradually replaced as the weather gets warmer, we tend to spend more time outside, taking advantage of the increased light, and many people set about ‘spring cleaning’ their homes. Meanwhile, in nature, plants begin to grow leaves, seeds put forth shoots into the warming air, many animals give birth to their young, and the cycle of growth begins again.

Spring is a perfect time for spiritual renewal. March is the only month of the year that always contains, at least part of, Lent. It is a time to draw closer to God, as we prepare to celebrate the Resurrection at Easter. While, for many, the habit of the Lenten fast, or even just ‘giving something up for Lent’ is not a feature of their lives, for Christians, it is a perfect time to draw closer to God, perhaps saying an extra, or longer, prayer each day. Perhaps spending more time quietly reading scripture. Perhaps joining a group, such as our Study group in Church on a Thursday evening where, this year, we will be reading and discussing ‘The Word in the Wilderness: A Poem a Day for Lent and Easter’. Spending this time drawing closer to God reaches a natural climax on Easter Day, when the resurrected Christ completed the bridge over which we can access our Creator, God.

Just before Jesus called Lazarus from the tomb, He said,

‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ (John 11:25,26)

The question Jesus asks, ‘Do you believe this?’ can only be answered ‘Yes’ by those who know Him. When we want to know someone better, we spend time with them, it’s the same with God – spend time with Him, and know Him better.’

Many blessings,

Carl