Hope Springs Owner and Farmer Elisabeth Hansard Reflects on Farming Seasons for Christmas:
We moved to our farm for many reasons, but especially to live within the rhythm of nature.
Something that I have discovered in this new life, that hadn’t occurred to me before, is that living within the rhythm of the seasons is fulfilling and brings an unexpected peace.
As farmers, we are reliant on what comes from the seasons. The cycles. The birth, the death and rebirth.
In spring, new life is abundant. Colorful flowers are everywhere, sweet baby animals are born.
We plant seeds in the soil with the hopeful expectation that they will grow into nourishment for ourselves and others. We celebrate Easter and rejoice in the new life and the conquering of death that Jesus brings. The garden becomes abundant, bringing forth the fruit of our labor and hope.
Then comes summer. In Texas, summer is a time of endurance. We keep our plants and animals (and ourselves) watered, with the knowledge that cooler, easier times are coming. Thankfully, some plants thrive in the blasting heat, so we remain nourished.
With fall comes another season of harvest and abundance. We collectively breathe a sigh of relief as cooler temperatures return. We gather in the harvest and are so thankful for all that we have been given.
Winter is a time for reset. Plants in the garden and fields decay and die from the frosty temperatures. Things slow down as we all huddle in to survive the cold.
And in the middle of it all comes Christmas. Yes, we know that winter comes more in January and February in Texas, but we know that in other parts of the world, Christmas comes in the middle of the freezing, barren winter. Why?
I think it is because Christmas is a symbol of our hope for the coming new life of spring.
It is a remembrance that in the middle of darkness, a bright light shines. It is an honoring that we have been given the greatest gift of all, the possibility of a relationship with the Almighty.
It is a remembering that even in our darkest hours, God is on the move, working for us and in us (if we let Him), to bring forth new life. Spring is just around the corner.
Merry Christmas!