By Cate Edmonds, Canon Steward
With the change in the weather, we can really feel that autumn has set in and with that thoughts of Christmas are creeping into our minds and even actions. Christmas card are on sale, shops are displaying a mass of Christmas paraphernalia and I even saw some decorations appearing on my way home this week! We have only just got over, and enjoyed, Harvest Festival so the year 2026 is rapidly advancing, itself getting older!
I have often heard it said that time goes more quickly the older you get and that made me wonder what scripture has to tell us about advancing years. The prophet Job, a family man who was beset with many disasters but kept his faith in God, reflected that, “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long-life bring understanding?” Job 12:12. The Psalmist also comments on aging, “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.” Psalm 92:14.
As the year 2026 is getting older, what wisdom have we gained, I wonder? The weather must be one of the biggest reflections for this year. The heavy rains at the beginning of the year were followed by a long period of dry weather, which led to drought conditions and water rationing for many parts of the country, some of these restrictions are still in existence. This change in our weather pattern, particularly as the year has aged, should have made us think more about climate change. Each month that passed without rain should have made us think about how precious, clean water is and perhaps not take it for granted as we may have done. We should have, I hope, become wiser about how we use it.
Wisdom of course is not just a gift of those with many years under their belt. It seems that many younger members of our society have a greater understanding about the damage that has been done to the environment by the actions of humankind than their elders. It may be because they will suffer the consequences of environmental damage much more than their elders. However, they appear to have the wisdom to try to do something about it, and their elders should have the wisdom to support them.
All of us are called to be good stewards of creation and each of us in our own ways can contribute. As our earth ages, as we travel through the changing seasons, let us, as the psalmist writes, enable the earth to continue to stay fresh and green and bear fruit. Only those lacking in wisdom will think it’s not their responsibility. Let us all learn from the wisdom of the young and work together to preserve and nurture the amazing environment in which we live.