I LIVE IN NORTHWEST USA
where summer solstice 2019, also known as midsummer, the time when one of Earth’s poles has its maximum tilt toward the sun, officially began on Friday, June 21, at 8:54 AM Pacific Time. Depending on what part of the world you live in, the time of day, sometimes the date, and even the season may be different.
Here, autumn season equinox (Latin, “equal night”), will begin September 23, at which time night and day are nearly, though not always, exactly the same length—12 hours—all over the world. Neither days are celebrated here and often go unnoticed, unless one counts a day at the beach as celebration. In other cultures and countries summer solstice is a big deal.
Some years ago in Denmark, we joined in celebrating Sankthansaften EVER SINCE man first noticed the regular movement of the sun and the
stars, we have wondered about the passage of time. We invented sundials and
water clocks with which to measure time. The first mechanical clocks were
invented in 1275. Today, Apple Corp offers a fundamentally redesigned and
reengineered wristwatch, “with the largest display ever, including a built-in
electrical heart sensor. And new Digital Crown with haptic feedback. Low and
high heart rate notifications. Fall detection and Emergency SOS. New Breathe
watch faces. Automatic workout detection. New yoga and hiking workouts.
Advanced features for runners like cadence and pace alerts. New head-to-head
competitions. Activity sharing with friends.”[2] Who knew? I just wanted to know what time it is. “BE ON TIME” “I can give you some time.” “I don’t have enough time to do
this.” Time plays a significant role in our lives. Still, a good sundial or water clock or an Apple Watch, not
even the beautiful grandfather clock in my home can “make time” for us or “give
more time to us. These instruments are at best only reminders of the value of time. When we value and respect time we do
not waste it. When we value and respect time we
become competent and productive. When we value and respect time we relax
and enjoy quality time with those we love. Solomon wrote, “Whoever keeps a command will know no evil
thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. For there
is a time and a way for everything, although
man’s trouble lies heavy on him.”[3] Yet we are not mere time-bound, troubled creatures. We were made for eternity! “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has
put eternity into man’s heart.”[4] THOMAS À KEMPIS’ 500-year-old words of wisdom still ring true today: “Very
soon your time here will be finished. Check how well you were doing! We are
here today, and tomorrow we are gone. Always be prepared; live so that death
may never find you unprepared. ‘Therefore you
also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’[5] “When
that last hour does come, you will begin to rethink your entire life, and you
will be very sorry for having been so negligent and careless. Happy and prudent
is the one who strives to live now as he would want to find himself at death. “The present is very precious. Live now
in a way so that when death comes you can rejoice and not be fearful. ‘Now if
we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.’[6] “Keep
your heart free and raised toward God because here you have no lasting home, ‘but
we seek the city that is to come.’”[7] YES It is summertime, in my heart It is summertime, in my heart Since Jesus saved me—New Life He gave me— Ev’n in wintertime, it’s summer in my heart.[8] Learn to value things every day the way you will value them as the “winter” of your life draws near. And always remember, “Ev’n In wintertime, it’s summer in your heart.” You were made for eternity. [1] Sankt Hans (Saint John) was born exactly six months
before Jesus, so the Day of Sankt Hans is officially June 24th. But according
to Nordic tradition, celebrations always take place the night before, which
means that June 23rd is Sankthansaften (just as Christmas is celebrated on December 24th in
Denmark, instead of the
25th). [2] Apple Watch Series 4 advertisement [3] Ecclesiastes 8:5,6 [4] Ecclesiastes 3:11 [5] Matthew 24:44 [6] Romans 6:8 [7] The Imitation of Christ, Thomas à Kempis [8] Lyrics and tune credited to Lois C Johnson © 1940.
Renewed 1968.
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