This Saturday, March 20 is the Spring Equinox.

The earth rotates around the sun on a flat plane, spinning on a tilted axis that does not change.

The day when the northern hemisphere is tilted furthest away from the sun is the Winter Solstice and is the shortest day of the year.

That happened on December 21, the first day of winter.

The opposite happens on the Summer Solstice when the northern hemisphere is tilted closest to the sun.

That will happen on June 20 giving us the longest day of the year, the beginning of summer.

There are 2 days every year when the axis is perpendicular to the sun giving us an equal length of day and night.

Each of those days is called an equinox which is Latin for “equal night.”

One of those days is the Autumnal equinox and marks the beginning of Autumn.

The other day is the Spring or “Vernal” in Latin equinox.

What this means for us is, “Gentlemen, start your lawn mowers!”

Spring cleaning is a cultural tradition around the world.

It mainly stems from the logical activity that would occur following winter.

Historically, during cold months, windows were sealed and heat was produced from burning wood, coal, kerosene, or oil inside the house.

This fuel left a dust-collecting film over everything from ceiling to floor.

Spring cleaning became a necessary annual chore that required everyone’s help in the home.

But annual spring cleaning rituals also have religious ties among certain groups.

The Biblical instruction for the Children of Israel is to get all the leaven out of the house before the Feast of Unleavened Bread which comes in the spring.

This practice became an annual Jewish tradition that led to a hide-and-seek game.

After cleaning the house, crumbs were hidden and the children used a feather and wooden spoon to find and sweep it up!

So, hide a few quarters around dusty places in your house, put socks on your grandkids’ hands and let them play a game called finder’s keepers!

Next: Getting rid of bitterness.

Dan Williams is the senior adult pastor at Lexington Baptist Church.