There was a day last week where the leaves seemed to be on fire. The sun was bright and hanging at that amazing angle that make the autumn so warm and kind. We drove around the loop and eventually went to Tyler pointing out trees to each other. Each tree seems like a compact miracle of life and energy.
I came home and marbled at the trees in my front yard. They same trees, Bradford Pears, but different colors. The northern most tree had fully engaged in the fall transformation, the southern tree seemed reluctant to admit that it was time for a change. I carefully circle the tree selecting leaves. I tried selecting the very best leaves, ones without blemishes that represented all of the colors I could see. I started with the tree’s traditional uniform of green and then picked up the maroons and scarlets that are the first indicator of regime change. Then the oranges like those of the Golden Gate Bridge to the color of the pumpkins on my porch. Finally, I selected the bright yellows. They reminded me of the high country Aspens of which I am so fond.
I brought them into the table and began to place them into a wreath as I marveled at the depth of their color and the miracle of Gods plan. Leaves feature in the Eden story to cover and hide Adam and Eve’s sin and shame (Gen 3:7). A tiny leaf announces to Noah the passing of the flood waters (Gen. 8:11). Leaves line the streets and the hands of those that welcome Jesus to Jerusalem (John 12:12). Leaves foreshadow Christs return (Luke 21:29-31). Leave make it into heaven (Rev 22:2). It makes me wonder if all the trees of heaven are evergreens or will will we get the most amazing autumns ever? I searched the the Bible for any indication that the ancients got to see a New Englandish fall foliage. Because the bible was written by people who lived in a zone without much vegetational transition, they missed out on this annual riot of color. I’m believing that when John says, “the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations,” in the Revelation that whatever is going on in heaven will be even better than what I saw last week.