October is in the air...

Crunchy colorful leaves cover the side walks around campus, and I must admit I enjoy stepping on them as I walk to class.  We really don't have what most people would consider "Autumn" in Mississippi.  Since most of the trees in this state are pine trees, we don't have the beautifully painted landscape of colorful trees shedding their whispy leaves before winter comes.  We really just have a few weeks of pleasantly cool weather and the few Bradford Pear, Magnolia, Ginkgo, and Oak trees around the state do their thing.  Despite our lacking of a proper autumn, there are plenty of crunchy leaves around campus that need stepping on... and I am quite glad to oblige.  

I love the harvest time!  The gorgeous arrays of pumpkins and squash are  popping up in stores around town, and they always get me in an expectant mood.  I'm not a fan of Halloween, so I always associate the harvest with Thanksgiving.  And we all know that the day after Thanksgiving marks the official beginning of the Christmas season.  We are approaching my favorite time of the liturgical calendar!  All Saints Day is just around the corner, and before we know it Advent!  I'm trying not to get ahead of myself and embrace the expectation of the Christ child too early this year, but it doesn't help when we're working on the music for the Christmas concert in singers.  This time of year always seems to fly by so quickly, but I hope we can all try to slow down and savor what a great time of year this is.  Go on a walk outside and see if you can spot a few of those color changing trees in Mississippi, and just take in God's handiwork. 

Here are two verses from one of my favorite songs, "Jesus Christ the Apple Tree", I hope they'll help you slow down and just take in what a wonderful time of the year it is (and get you excited about the anticipatory season of Advent that is about a month and half away!)

His beauty doth all things excel
By faith I know but ne'er can tell
His beauty doth all things excel
By faith I know but ne'er can tell
The glory which I now can see
In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

For happiness I long have sought
And pleasure dearly I have bought
For happiness I long have sought
And pleasure dearly I have bought
I missed of all but now I see
'Tis found in Christ the apple tree.
 ---Jesus Christ the Apple Tree---

Elizabeth Poston