The Hunter’s Moon has passed, and now the moon is on a waning journey, fading from our sight little by little. We know that this is a matter of shadows and positioning, the moon doesn’t actually change shapes and sizes. That’s how we experience it, however. In ancient civilizations, the moon was celebrated and sometimes even worshiped. It’s not hard to understand, this worship of the moon. It is magnificent, but it only illuminates the grandeur of our God, who created it as a gift to humanity.
And when you look up into the sky and see the sun, moon, and stars—all the forces of heaven—don’t be seduced into worshiping them. The Lord your God gave them to all the peoples of the earth. - Deuteronomy 4:19
I don’t have the most powerful camera, but on a clear night when the moon is bright, close-ups reveal a rugged terrain. Only a very few people in the human race have known what it is to walk on that surface … to see it so close and so unobstructed … and to experience the moon in a way that most of us never will.
If anything the moon reflects the passing of time. This moon will be less and less visible throughout the coming weeks before it shows itself once again. Although the moon has its rotation, we always see the same side of the moon. It’s hard not to stare - not to take a few more pictures of the moon.
The next full moon will be November 27th and is called the Beaver Moon. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, “This is the time of year when beavers begin to take shelter in their lodges, having laid up sufficient food stores for the long winter ahead.”
You made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to set. - Psalm 104:19
But this is the last moon of October. Along with the changing leaves, the cooler temperatures, and the children joyfully running from house to house costumed and cheery, our favorite month is waning with the moon. November transitions from cooler days to cold ones and in most states the days grow short and we are caught by surprise at the early darkness. Some are moved to darker moods during this time, but others are busily preparing to gather with family and friends to give thanks. The Christmas season will be upon us in a rush and over before we can blink. But October … gives us a chance to catch our breath after the heat of the summer, the rustle of August as school begins, the dog days of September as we wait for the first cool breeze that reminds us that October is coming. And now it is gone.
It is a reflection of our lives, this coming and going of the moon. One night you step out expecting to see the glowing beauty, but it isn’t there. We know that if all continues as it has been, the moon will appear again. The dark days, when the moon is not visible, though, remind us that our time here is limited. At some point, every one of us will no longer be visible. Apostle Paul, in the shadow of a bright moon perhaps, wrote…
There are also bodies in the heavens and bodies on the earth. The glory of the heavenly bodies is different from the glory of the earthly bodies. The sun has one kind of glory, while the moon and stars each have another kind. And even the stars differ from each other in their glory. It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. - 1 Corinthians 15:40-42
The testimony of creation is the ongoing pattern of life and death and eventual resurrection. During this cold season, the earth around us begins to decay. Leaves cover the ground, the stark branches of the trees reach up into a clouded and cold sky, the animals slow down, and for many, our last breath escapes. In that day all the hopes we invested in this human existence will become only a memory. In Christ, however, just as a new moon is bound to appear, so also a new life is waiting when the time comes. As glorious as our moon appears on a clear night, almost bringing daylight to the evening, it fades in comparison to the light of God’s promised city. The only illumination needed in that day comes from the One who died to set us free from the dark winters of our earthly days.
And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.- Revelation 21:23
So, thank you October. You prepared us for the coming darker days and delivered the promise that brighter days are ahead. And thank you, friend, for reading, liking, and sharing this post (if you are so moved). Work hard, rest well, and stay connected. The world needs you.
Resources
Full Moon Calendar. https://www.space.com/16830-full-moon-calendar.html
Full Moon November. https://www.almanac.com/full-moon-november
Fantastic pictures of the moon!
Loved what you said about patterns (seasonal, lunar etc) being creation’s testimony! Had not thought of that before.
Your last paragraph reminded me of a very old song that I haven’t listened to in a while, “The Holy City” which ends:
“No need of moon or stars by night,
Or sun to shine by day,
It was the new Jerusalem,
That would not pass away,...
Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Sing, for the night is o’er!
Hosanna in the highest,
Hosanna for evermore!”