In England, before the use of mechanical harvesters, when the corn was gathered with the sickle, scythe and other hand implements, there were many popular harvest customs.  The most important was the Harvest Home Supper which was held in the largest barn available, when the harvest was complete.  It was a pleasant, friendly event in which master and workers ate and drank together.  In some places, entertainment was provided by performers who dressed up so as to be disguised.  They were known as ‘guisers’.  They acted as if they had not been invited to the Harvest Supper and proceeded to force an entrance to the barn against the opposition of the people inside.  This resulted in much excitement and amusement! (1)

The Harvest Home Supper was a secular event but it is common in many parishes today to hold a Harvest Supper.  And the idea of ‘harvest-home’ also lives on in the well-known harvest hymn:

“Come, ye thankful people, come,
raise the song of harvest-home:
all is safely gathered in,
ere the winter storms begin…” (2)

Harvest Thanksgiving was officially recognised in the Church of England in 1862. (3) In more recent times the focus of this festival has broadened in scope, as is evident in the Common Worship provision for Harvest intercessions; for example:

“We pray for governments and aid agencies,
and those areas of the world where there is disaster, drought
and starvation.
By the grace of your Spirit,
touch our hearts
and the hearts of all who live in comfortable plenty,
and make us wise stewards of your gifts”. (4)

References

1. Wright, A.R. and Lones, T.E. (editor) (1936) British Calendar Customs.  England.  Vol I, movable feasts, London: William Glaisher Ltd.

2. Alford, H. (1844) Come, ye thankful people, come.  Available from:
http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/c/c349.html (Accessed 27 September 2011) (Internet).

3. © The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England (2006) Common Worship: Seasons and festivals of the agricultural year.   Available from:
http://www.churchofengland.org/media/41161/tsagyear.pdf (Accessed 27 September 2011) (Internet).

4. © The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England (2006) Common Worship: Seasons and festivals of the agricultural year.  Available from:
http://www.churchofengland.org/media/41161/tsagyear.pdf (Accessed 27 September 2011) (Internet).

Short talks

Short talks for Harvest Thanksgiving, All or nothing and Generosity and sacrifice are available in this section of the Holy Faith website.  See also three short talks for children: Harvest Thanksgiving: a healthy soul, and God's greatness and love: Harvest Thanksgiving and Harvest Thanksgiving: the Bread of Heaven.