The Dew Fall

 

The word "dew" had come up twice in the past two weeks when I began writing this post a few weeks ago. It was odd to me that Charlie and Madi had both asked about this simple word--and its meaning--one after the other, on separate occasions. Of course, my explanation to both of them was based upon the scientific definition--moisture condensed from the atmosphere, especially at night, and appearing in the form of mist on a cool surface.

 

But then--that Sunday at Mass--my ears suddenly perked up when I heard that very word used in our Eucharistic prayer! I don't know how many countless times I've heard this reference in our Eucharistic prayers, but only had I truly paid attention to it that day, and it seemed so compelling. 

As Father Bosso joined his hands and extended them over the offerings, he said, 

"Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down your spirit upon them like the dew fall, so that they may become for us the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ." 

 "Like the "dew fall," he'd said!  I felt the Holy Spirit at work, and felt drawn to look it up in the Dictionary after Mass that day to find this beautiful meaning...

"something like or compared to such drops of moisture, 

as in purity, delicacy, or refreshing quality."

So I started really putting two and two together. Friends, as I reflect on this day that marks the beginning of our Advent season, isn't that exactly what God our Father does? Sends His Holy Spirit upon us in a "refreshing quality," giving us just that--a beginning--a refreshing of our souls, like the dew fall? And only, if our hearts are open, will we hear His calling. Only then will we receive the gift of that dew fall.

As we all prepare our hearts, and our minds, for the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ this Advent season, let us be more mindful of the dew fall. May your journey of preparation be blessed.

Biblical references to "Dew fall:"

These are 'the morning clouds and the early dew that go away' of which Hosea (6:4; 13:3) speaks so touchingly" (Geikie's The Holy Land, etc., i., p. 72).  

Dew is a source of great fertility (Gen. 27:28; Deut. 33:13; Zech. 8:12), and its withdrawal is regarded as a curse from God (2 Sam. 1:21; 1 Kings 17:1).  

It is the symbol of a multitude (2 Sam. 17:12; Ps. 110:3); and from its refreshing influence it is an emblem of brotherly love and harmony (Ps. 133:3), and of rich spiritual blessings (Hos. 14:5).