Genesis 1:14-18 – Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and they shall serve as signs and for seasons, and for days and years; 15 and they shall serve as lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so. 16 God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night; He made the stars also. 17 God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 and to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good.
A week ago on Wednesday night, August 16, Cindy and I went out to dinner with friends. On the drive home, I saw what I believe was the most spectacular, gorgeous full moon that I have ever seen in my life. The sky was perfectly clear and a beautiful blue, and the moon was a very intense bright white color. The next morning I learned from my web browser that this was an annual occurrence of the Hunter’s Moon that occurs in October every year. It turns out that this color was even so much more vivid than normal because the moon was about 30,000 miles closer to earth this year than in recent years.
I investigated a bit further and learned that – Each month our full moons are given names that refer to what might be happening in nature at that time. October’s full moon is known as the Hunter’s Moon as it is the time of year when leaves start to fall and animals have plumped up over the summer, ready for winter. Ancient communities would therefore increase hunting at this time of year. The Hunter’s supermoon can therefore appear up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than other full moons. Hunter’s Moon will take center stage this year as the third of four consecutive supermoons of 2024 – and it’s expected to be the biggest.
The term supermoon was originated back in 1979, according to NASA. It was used to describe a full moon that occurs when the moon is within 90% of its closest approach to Earth. Also, full moon names are rooted in ancient traditions often from Native American, European, or other cultural lore. The names often reflect natural events such as animal behavior or seasonal changes.
The three other supermoons for 2024 are:
Sturgeon Moon, Aug 9, 2024 – The Sturgeon Moon, when this large fish of the Great Lakes and other major bodies of water like Lake Champlain is most readily caught.
Harvest Moon, Sept. 17, 2024 – Traditionally, this designation goes to the full moon that occurs closest to the Autumnal (Fall) Equinox. In most years, the Harvest Moon comes in September, but about every four or five years it occurs in October (next time this will happen will be in 2025). At the peak of the harvest, farmers can work into the night by the light of this moon.
Beaver Moon, November 15, 2024 – Some accounts suggest the name Beaver Moon came from the fact that this moon signaled it was time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze to ensure a supply of warm winter furs! Another interpretation suggests that the name Beaver Moon comes from the fact that the beavers are now active in their preparation for winter.
Maybe you remember my TGIF from a previous fall when I discussed the migration of birds from their homeland to warmer climates for the winter. That message shared the complexity in God’s plan for the birds to protect them in the wintertime. Today’s message further describes the impact of God’s overall plan for mankind and all the animals so we all understand and prepare for all the seasons in an annual calendar.
God is good …. all the time! All the time …. God is good!!!!!!!!