The History Of Britain's Harvest Festival
Britain has had a long history of giving thanks for bountiful harvests, going back to Pagan days. Today the Harvest Festival, also known as Harvest Home, Harvest Thanksgiving, or simply Thanksgiving. Reverend Robert Hawker began the modern observation of the Harvest Festival in 1843. It is a time of singing hymns and praising God and is a celebration in church, thanking God for His blessings of the harvest.
The churches are decorated with baskets filled with fruit and other foods. The food that is brought into the church during the festival is shared with those in need, such as the poor and elderly. This passes on the blessings, showing God's love to others. People donate things from their own crops. Others donate store purchased items or cash to help the needy.
While in North America Thanksgiving has become a national holiday, it isn't in England. It is more closely related to the Jewish festival Sukkot, or "Feast of the Tabernacles." Both are a celebration of the harvest. In England the celebrations are usually held on the Sunday that falls closest to the autumn equinox and the harvest moon.
There are many other traditions that go along with the Harvest Festival. The Lammas, or "loaf mass", was another way for the people to give back to the church. The farmers would make bread from their first harvest of wheat. This bread was then used for communion.
At the end of the harvest season, Michaelmas Day is celebrated. Instead of turkey (as it is native to North America), a goose would be served at the meal. One of the men in the town is selected to be the "Lord of the Harvest" and is honored with sitting at the head of the table.
The Cornucopia comes from the Greek myth that a horn of abundance was taken from a goat that fed Zeus. The horn was always full of fruit. This never-ending supply has been linked today to a bountiful harvest. Most often, the horn is now represented as a wicker basket shaped like a horn.
Corn dollies are a tradition that date back to pagan days in Great Britain. The people believed that spirits lived in the wheat. They made a doll out of the stalks and leaves. The doll was kept over the winter and was to provide a bountiful harvest for the next year. Today, it is merely a craft that people use as decorations.
All of these elements have come together over the years making Britain's Harvest Festival something enjoyed by all. It is good to be thankful all year round, but it is also nice to set aside a special day to be thankful and share our blessings with others.
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