A Bundle of Myrrh

Four times a year a few days are set aside for fasting and prayer and marking the changing of seasons. These are called “Ember days.” For me the Fall or Autumn Ember days are the best and the ones I really only mark in anyway. I’m always so eager for Fall.

These Fall Ember days come the Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday after Holy Cross day. Per our tradition I take the babies that are home outside on one of these days to look for signs in creation that the seasons are changing. We call this our Ember Walk.
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Late lies the wintry sun a-bed,
A frosty, fiery sleepy-head;
Blinks but an hour or two; and then,
A blood-red orange, sets again.

Before the stars have left the skies,
At morning in the dark I rise;
And shivering in my nakedness,
By the cold candle, bathe and dress.

Close by the jolly fire I sit
To warm my frozen bones a bit;
Or with a reindeer-sled, explore
The colder countries round the door.

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