Dr. Don Kuehle, United Methodist, Retired
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The ancient Roman Year began with March and closed with December. January and February were added later on.
March was named after Mars, the Roman god of war, the father-ancestor of the Roman peoples. March celebrated the birth, or waking up, of nature. April means either “to open” or “to follow.” April follows March in opening the way to Spring. May derives from “magnus” or “big,” and celebrates the time when animals and plants are growing bigger. The ancient Saxons called this month Tri-Milchi, “three milkings.” It was during this time that the grass grew so quickly, and was so plentiful, that farmers claimed that their cows could be milked three times a day.
Every nation has its celebration customs centered around the month of May.
May Flowers: “April showers bring May flowers.” The ancient Romans celebrated Floralia, a May festival in honor of Flora, the goddess of flowers.
May pole: In England, people decorated May Poles, and then danced around them, rejoicing in Spring and the renewal of life.
May baskets: In many lands, people filled May baskets with flowers and hung them around the house or in their gardens.
Queen of May: In many Christian countries, people dedicated the month of May to the Virgin Mary. On May 1, a young woman in the community was crowned Queen Of May, in honor of the Virgin Mary.
May Day song (A Ballad for May): “Remember us poor Mayers all! And thus do we begin, To lead our lives in righteousness, or else we die to sin. We have been rambling all the night, and almost all the day; And now returned back again; we have brought you a branch of May. The life of man is but a span; it flourishes like a flower. We are here today and gone tomorrow; and we are dead in an hour. The moon shines bright and stars give light a little before it is day; So God bless you all, both great and small, and send you a joyful May.”
May is a great time to celebrate the beauty and wonder of God’s world!
Take time to appreciate the beauty. Dance around a May Pole. Fix a basket of flowers and give it to a friend, or anyone. Make a Crown of Flowers and give it to someone as a sign of your love and appreciation. Sing a Song-of-May in celebration of life!
Praise God for May, and every month as well!
Dr. Don Kuehle, United Methodist, Retired, Jackson, Missouri