Harvest

The Origin of Harvest Festivals

The tradition of harvest festivals is a very ancient one and exists throughout the world in one form or another. The gathering of enough food to ensure survival through the winter was vital, and accompanied with fear, so that when the task had been accomplished successfully there was great rejoicing. Many ancient people believed that the spirits of the gods were involved in the process. If they were displeased they would send poor crops, or bad weather during harvest so that the crops were ruined. It was felt necessary to appease these spirits in some way to ensure their co-operation. Often some of the crop would be offered back to the spirits to do this and to show man's gratitude Many of the customs linked with harvest have their origins in this belief.

The Old Testament

In the Old Testament we hear of harvest festivals and find religious laws laid down for them. The climate in the Near East means that there is more than one harvest, and there are regulations about each. The most well known of these are the Festival of Weeks, also known as Pentecost, and the Festival of Tabernacles or Succoth. Both of these are still celebrated by the Jews today and are also linked to important historical events in the Jewish faith.

On the day of Pentecost two loaves made with leaven are to be offered to God as the fruits of the wheat harvest. The instructions for this are to be found in Deuteronomy chp 16 vss 9-12 and Leviticus chp 23 vss 16-20. Pentecost is also linked to the giving of the Law to Moses by God on Mount Sinai.

The Feast of Tabernacles or Succoth celebrates the fruit harvest. Leviticus chp 23 vs 33-44 instructs the Jews to construct booths or tabernacles in which they are to live for the seven days of the festival. These are decorated with fruit and green branches, and are there to remind them of the time of harvest in the fields, as well as the tents in which the nation dwelt after they left Egypt with Moses. Both of these festivals, along with Passover, were pilgrim festivals; in Biblical times as many people as were able would go to Jerusalem.

Another law about harvest is that of gleaning. Leviticus_chp_19_vss-9f instructs those who are harvesting not to reap to the very edge of the field or strip the vineyard completely, but to leave something for the poor and strangers to gather freely. This practice figures in the story of Ruth.

In many places a Festival of "First Fruits" is celebrated when the first corn to ripen is cut and kept separate from the rest of the harvest. Lammas (Hlaefmass or Loaf Mass) is thus celebrated on 1st August and is when the bread used in the Holy Communion service is made from this first corn of the year.

Lammas is a day of both pleasure and anxiety as it celebrates the beginning of harvest, but is held at a time when most of the crops still have to be gathered in and there is a possibility of disaster. You will find that some market towns still hold Lammas fairs at this time, and churches may still celebrate with Holy Communion.

Ancient British Folk Customs

For thousands of years people believed the spirit of the corn lived in the field and were particularly anxious about cutting the last sheaf. Various rituals evolved to prevent blame for the final cutting falling upon any one person. In some places the last sheaf was taken and shaped into an effigy the origin of the corn dolly. - and . was actually treated as an old woman. The dolly was returned to the earth by being ploughed in to the soil for the next season. Today com-dollies are an art form, but they were originally a significant piece of folklore.

Before the days of mechanization the feast known as the Harvest Home, when workers of all -classes- celebrated together, marked the completion of the harvest and was an . important feature of country life.

Modern Harvest Festivals

By the mid nineteenth century clergymen throughout England were concerned that Harvest Homes were deteriorating into drunken parties and worse. It is popularly accepted that the first to offer a positive alternative celebration of harvest was Revd. Stephen Hawker of Morwenstow in Cornwall in 1843. Soon churches throughout the land were organising parochial Harvest Homes; a service of Christian thanksgiving. (sometimes including a Eucharist) followed by a Harvest Supper. In 1862 Convocation made official provision for Harvest festivals by recommending proper lessons, psalms and prayers.

Celebrating Harvest

Harvest Around the World

A look at the different types of food which are eaten and where these crops are grown (a survey of family food cupboards!). Being aware that harvest times vary according to climate and geographical factors is important and this can be a time to recognise that others, particularly in the Third World, may be suffering greatly from the failure of their harvest. Whilst recognising the problems, there should also be the possibility of a positive response e.g. selling the produce collected for the school harvest festival and making a donation to a Third World charity. Looking at different kinds of Harvest such as the harvest of the sea or of industry is also popular.

Mental and Spiritual Malnutrition

A study of our need for food to keep us healthy and which kind of food makes up a good diet. This can be linked not only with thinking about countries where malnutrition is a permanent problem but also taking up the concept of mental and spiritual malnutrition based on the saying of Jesus "Man shall not live by bread alone..." (Matthew chp 4 vs 4).

Sharing Bread

Sharing food is a demonstration of fellowship in many religions. Looking at the process of bread making and actually making bread to share around a class can be linked to the Holy Communion service.