Make Hay While The Sun Shines

true story to read or listen to

I wasn’t sure if I was going to like the new priest at Church since I was attached to the Monsignor who had been plucked out of our parish and sent to another one with little notice to us parishioners.

From the pulpit on Christmas day this new pastor told us that we were allowed to take some pieces of hay that lined the floor of the Nativity scene. When he was a young man someone told him that if he took hay from the manger area and put it in his wallet, then he would receive money. He laughed and said, “but it wasn’t enough!”

After Mass I approached the Nativity scene at the front of the church near the altar, and I waited my turn to kneel by the manger to say a prayer and gingerly sneak a couple pieces of hay into my coat pocket. I thought maybe if I took a lot of pieces, it would increase the amount of money, but I was too embarrassed to get caught stuffing my pockets.

I put the pieces of hay in my wallet, and when I returned home I gave a piece to my husband, Michael, for his wallet. I saved a piece for our friend who just purchased a new home - she sure could use extra money.

Michael and I had planned to visit our friend in South Carolina between Christmas and the New Year to help her set up her new home. On the drive down from Pennsylvania we received a message from a business associate who we haven’t heard from in a long time. She was a lucky charm some years back when she connected us to a very profitable venture. But the beauty supply business is slowing down for many reasons - supply chain issues, looting and theft in retail outlets, and inflation. When I saw her name on the car screen that she was texting us, I felt a tinge of optimism that this could be an opportunity to increase income. I thought of the hay in my wallet and laughed to myself.

Our trip to help a friend was productive and she appreciated the hay I gave her for her wallet.

We are back home and I went to Church this past Sunday. The parish was celebrating the Epiphany when the Magi bestowed gifts to the Babe, Jesus. The Nativity scene was still there. I had a thought that I should get more hay before they take down the Christmas decor. Then the priest asked if some of us would stay after Mass and help take down the decorations. I debated whether I should stay but then I thought if I helped do some work then I could justify taking more hay. As I was removing the wreaths I remembered the saying, “make hay while the sun shines.” I wondered where this phrase originated.

I did some research and the phrase stems back to Tudor England. According to Gary Martin, a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases, the Middle English proverb is first recorded in “A Dialogue conteninyng the nomber effect of all the Prouebes in the Englishe tongue”, 1546.

“When the sunne shinth make hay. Whiche is to say. Take time whan time cometh, lest time steale away.”

According to Mr. Martin, a similar notion is expressed in the Bible, Proverbs 10:5: “He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.”

I thought that putting hay in my wallet was akin to buying a lottery ticket and hoping to win. There is something inside me though that likes to cover the bases, even if it includes pure superstition. As long as it doesn’t get in the way of working, no matter what form making hay appears in my life. Work is good. It allows me to interact with people I may have never known. It gives me a sense of accomplishment and I get to use the skills I have developed over the years, oh, and put money in my wallet. So the hay in my wallet is a symbol that more income is probably coming to me but I will work for it. Just like my husband will need to work as a new business opportunity is presently developing.

When I was finished taking down the decorations, I did go back to the Nativity scene that was still standing and I took a handful of hay. This time I thanked the Babe in the manger who brought light into the world. He is the sun that shines on us while we are making hay. I intend to give the hay to people for their wallets and I will pray over it for their spiritual prosperity.

If you are interested in the origins of sayings, proverbs, and phrases go to Gary Martin’s The Phrase Finder.

By the way, I sure do like this new priest.