Geese are interesting creatures. There are several families that live at a local park. For generations they have been laying their eggs across the road at a golf course. It is so cute to see the little goslings walking around after their parents in the early summer. I have wondered how they golfers deal with the nesting birds. After all, geese are rather possessive of their area. However, they seem to co-exist and the geese return to the Park and the Golf Course every year. (Some don't even leave for the winter.)
Geese are adaptable creatures. They can live on forage and are excellent at weed control which pecan and cotton farmers have known for years in southern NM. The birds are amazing guard animals as well. There is record of the geese in the temples alerting Roman soldiers to the approach of Gallic troops in 390BC! Of course, geese supply eggs, meat, down for blankets and pillows, and, for those who like it, the delicacy of pate foie gras. Geese have been domesticated for over 4500 years when Egyptians first raised the fowl for food. To the Celts, geese were a symbol of winter’s arrival. Geese were supposed to assist in the Wild Hunt where the Chief Hunter gathered up the lost souls. The cries of the geese led the lost to their eternal rest.
With such a broad range of talents and such a long history, it is no wonder that the Six Geese a-Laying can be interpreted as the six days of creation.1st Day: Creation of light and darkness
2nd Day: Creation of the firmament and dividing of the waters
3rd Day: Collection of waters (sea) and formation of dry land (earth); creation of plants
4th Day: Creation of heavenly bodies (sun, moon, and stars)
5th Day: Creation of sea creatures and birds from the waters
6th Day: Creation of cattle, creeping things, and beasts from the dry land; creation of mankind, male and female
When God finished creating everything, “God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.” Gen. 1:28-31.
I am always struck by the pride the Lord God takes in creation—‘indeed it was very good’. How often do we really take pride in our accomplishments? A good new year’s resolution might be to see ourselves through God’s eyes and remember that we are VERY GOOD.
2nd Day: Creation of the firmament and dividing of the waters
3rd Day: Collection of waters (sea) and formation of dry land (earth); creation of plants
4th Day: Creation of heavenly bodies (sun, moon, and stars)
5th Day: Creation of sea creatures and birds from the waters
6th Day: Creation of cattle, creeping things, and beasts from the dry land; creation of mankind, male and female
When God finished creating everything, “God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.” Gen. 1:28-31.
I am always struck by the pride the Lord God takes in creation—‘indeed it was very good’. How often do we really take pride in our accomplishments? A good new year’s resolution might be to see ourselves through God’s eyes and remember that we are VERY GOOD.
