Piddingworth Greg Benton |
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| 'Piddingworth...where St. George's Cross is not yet banned.' --Mark Steyn |
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| Thank you very much for your support! |
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| May God give you the strength & courage to do your Duty... Rose West Leonard |
| GET THEM NOW... BEFORE THEY'RE BANNED! |
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| Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. (1Peter 5.8) |
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| The Michaelmas Daisy Culzean Castle, Ayrshire |
| Michaelmas is the 'season' that marks the beginning of things in autumn... school terms, social calendars, re-newed leases and contracts and the marking of diminishing daylight that leads oh so inevitably to the 'darkness' of the winter months. The mornings are as crisp as the fresh apples and the evenings cool. The leaves of autumn, whose colour is brilliant against a changed sky, are falling and the aroma in the air of that lovely smoke from the lingering fires hovers neatly over the landscape. When at school and university, I always found Michaelmas term and this time of year to be the most enjoyable. Much like being sent off to school as a boy by with new pencils and kit from Mum, this term in the academic year begins with both anticipation and expectation for new discoveries and success. There are many parties and other gatherings where one meets new people, makes new friends, and takes in a great array of sport and theatre; all mingled with the usual informal and spontaneous events that are delightfully very merry. This lasts generally until Hallowe'en and the realisation by November that all the fun one was having in Michaelmas must come to an end in order to meet the demands of reading lists and writing papers; an often gloomy enterprise in the dark corner of one's study. St. Michael the Archangel is the inspiration for the season. His feast day is 29th September. Michael is principal guardian and protector of the things of heaven and a warrior against evil; usually depicted in art with his foot planted firmly on the head of Satan. By analogy with the season, we are to remain vigilant as we approach the darkness so that when surrounded by that which keeps us from seeing 'the light' around us, we remain steadfast, true and guard that light that remains within us. One is reminded of John Henry Newman's famous hymn written whilst he was ill in Italy and eager to return home to England. Lead kindly light amid the encircling gloom, lead Thou me on. The night is dark, and I am far from home; lead Thou me on! Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see The distant scene; one step enough for me. I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou shouldst lead me on; I loved to choose and see my path; but now lead Thou me on! I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears, Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years! So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still will lead me on. O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till the night is gone, And with the morn those angel faces smile, which I Have loved long since, and lost awhile! Meantime, along the narrow rugged path, Thyself hast trod, Lead, Saviour, lead me home in childlike faith, home to my God. To rest forever after earthly strife In the calm light of everlasting life May we journey through Michaelmas and into the many shades of darkness that are before us, with the confidence and strength as that of Saint Michael, a warrior of heaven...feet firmly planted against evil's ugly and oft-rearing head. |
| MICHAELMAS |