You’ve no doubt heard the saying, “March comes in like a Lion and goes out like a Lamb”? In Wisconsin, this is a commentary on the weather, although one never knows when the weather will be lion-like (with the fierce roar of frigid cold and the long white teeth of biting winds) or lamb-like (with soft sunshine and gentle warming breezes). It can change from day-to-day or from hour-to hour.
This proverb may have evolved into the weather saying we have today by first relating to the heavenly stars above. It is believed that this saying has more to do with the month beginning with the constellation Leo. Leo (the lion) rises in the east to start March and ends the month with the constellation Aries (the ram, or lamb) setting in the west.
Think back a few years, 28 to be exact, to March, 1995. An event of intense hype and anticipation took place on March 3, 1995. The VHS (remember those?) release of Disney’s “The Lion King.” Interestingly, the day before, March 2nd, was Ash Wednesday that year, the beginning of Lent and the Christian focus on “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”
Guess which received more attention? Countless copies of the “Lion” were reserved even before release and were snapped up quickly once they became available, but large expanses of church seating went unused during mid-week Lenten and Sunday worship services dedicated to honoring the “Lamb.” (Many seats are still available today!)
I remember thinking that few children could be heard shouting, “Mommy, Daddy, let’s go to church and hear about the Lamb of God,” while just about every child experienced enthusiastic ecstasy while screaming, “Lion King! Lion King!”
If you’re thinking this is just another ill-informed tirade against so-called rampant materialism and misplaced priorities by a preacher who just isn’t with the times, please consider: “Lion King” frenzy, while fun and entertaining, faded, but the free and faithful forgiveness won by the perfect Lamb of God remains.
Consider, too, which refrain you’d rather sing for eternity: the catchy but now outdated “Lion King” songs (or any of the current Disney offerings), or the songs of praise around heaven’s throne?
Listen again to that wonderful refrain, words which we’ll join in singing in the not-too-distant future: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!…To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:12,13)
All glory to the Lamb!
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
This proverb may have evolved into the weather saying we have today by first relating to the heavenly stars above. It is believed that this saying has more to do with the month beginning with the constellation Leo. Leo (the lion) rises in the east to start March and ends the month with the constellation Aries (the ram, or lamb) setting in the west.
Think back a few years, 28 to be exact, to March, 1995. An event of intense hype and anticipation took place on March 3, 1995. The VHS (remember those?) release of Disney’s “The Lion King.” Interestingly, the day before, March 2nd, was Ash Wednesday that year, the beginning of Lent and the Christian focus on “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”
Guess which received more attention? Countless copies of the “Lion” were reserved even before release and were snapped up quickly once they became available, but large expanses of church seating went unused during mid-week Lenten and Sunday worship services dedicated to honoring the “Lamb.” (Many seats are still available today!)
I remember thinking that few children could be heard shouting, “Mommy, Daddy, let’s go to church and hear about the Lamb of God,” while just about every child experienced enthusiastic ecstasy while screaming, “Lion King! Lion King!”
If you’re thinking this is just another ill-informed tirade against so-called rampant materialism and misplaced priorities by a preacher who just isn’t with the times, please consider: “Lion King” frenzy, while fun and entertaining, faded, but the free and faithful forgiveness won by the perfect Lamb of God remains.
Consider, too, which refrain you’d rather sing for eternity: the catchy but now outdated “Lion King” songs (or any of the current Disney offerings), or the songs of praise around heaven’s throne?
Listen again to that wonderful refrain, words which we’ll join in singing in the not-too-distant future: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!…To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:12,13)
All glory to the Lamb!
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
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