Unwrapping the Gifts of Fall

Like a lot of other people, I love this time of year. ?It is a?time of indulgence for?all five of my senses.

I love to see?the brilliant reds, yellows, and oranges?that take over the landscape as the leaves begin to change. ?I love to see the pumpkins resting on the porches, waiting for their?faces to be made up.

I love the way that the crisp air feels?when I am?out for a leisurely walk on a beautiful autumn evening. ?I love that it is cool enough that I?need a sweatshirt, but not so cold that I?need a winter coat. ? I love the feel of a warm cup of apple cider on my cool hands after I have been out in the crisp air for a bit too long.

I love the fall candles that smell like apple pie, and pumpkin spice, and cinnamon rolls, and everything that is yummy and sweet. ?I love the smell of the fire burning?in the fire pit.

I love the taste of all things pumpkin. ?I love the Thanksgiving feast of a golden turkey and perfectly mashed potatoes covered in a pool of gravy, nestled next to green bean casserole, and stuffing that melts in your mouth. ?Not to forget the?rolls that are hanging onto the plate for dear life because there is barely enough room for them. You know the rolls. The ones that are a little hard on the outside, but soft and squishy on the inside, with butter dripping over the sides and onto the plate, or maybe the tablecloth if they are really hanging on the edge.

I love the sound of leaves crunching under the feet of my children as they scurry to their next destination. ?I?love to hear?the wind howling at night while a fire crackles in the fireplace.

Fall is a cozy, inviting time of year.

It is a time of year when people gather together. ?We gather around campfires, and to watch our favorite teams on TV. We gather together at tailgates, and at chili cook-offs. ?We gather to enjoy the comfort of friends and family. ?We gather to unwrap the gifts that this time of year brings.

And, as we unwrap each of these gifts, we are reminded to give thanks to the one who has given them.

Fall is a time of thankfulness and reflection. ?As October is coming to an end and November is approaching, I am reminded to give thanks to our God for all of the beautiful gifts of this season.

I am reminded not just to give Him thanks today, but to give Him thanks always. ?All that we have is from Him. ?Each of these beautiful?gifts that our senses unwrap are all from our Creator.

As it says in the Anglican hymn written by Mrs. Cecil Alexander:

1.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

2.
Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings.

All things bright …

3.
The purple headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning,
That brightens up the sky;?

All things bright …

4.
The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,?
He made them every one:

All things bright …

5.
The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
We gather every day;?

All things bright …

6.
He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell,
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

All things bright …

(Amen)

Thank you God for the gift of this season and all of the joy that it brings. ?May my lips always tell, “How great is God Almighty, who has made all things well.”