National Centenarian Day

 

Link to this week's live-streamed service is here

According to Statistics Canada Vancouver Island has one of the oldest demographics in the country. Parksville tops the list with the most people aged over 65. Sidney outdoes our up-Island friend in the over 80 category. If you think you notice a lot of grey hair when you walk down Beacon Avenue, you are correct.

Given our aged population it seems only appropriate that the Peninsula News Review, ran a story on national centenarian's day. Did not know there was such a thing but someone somewhere has decided that we need a day to honour those who have lived for 100 years.

National Centenarian’s Day is observed annually on September 22. It is a day set aside to celebrate and honour those who have reached the age of 100. The day was originally proclaimed as a time to partake in the rich history and wisdom shared by centenarians. Listening to their life stories is ever so inspiring, and this is one day to be cherished by everyone to honour those among us who have seen a century go by.

In our congregation we have two members who have passed the 100 year mark. Happy Centenarian's Day to Emily and Helen.

We don't often celebrate old age. In our culture we are much more eager to embrace youth. If you want to sell a cosmetic, promise that it will eliminate signs of aging. If you want to sell a vitamin, promise that it will restore youthful vigor.

Even in the church it is not uncommon to hear a plea for "more young people," especially when there is heavy furniture to move!

And yet, God intends us to grow old. He has a purpose.

Proverbs 16:31

Grey hair is a crown of splendour; it is attained in the way of righteousness.

Companies like Clairol would go out of business if we regarded grey hair as a crown of glory. But scripture says it marks a righteous life.

Isaiah 46:4 reminds us that God doesn't stop caring for us after the age of 21 or 65 or even 80.
Even to your old age and grey hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Some have said that old age is a time of loss--loss of friends and loved ones through death, loss of dreams, loss of strength, loss of health. But, against those losses, old age is also a time to reflect, to pass on to another generation the wisdom gained over a lifetime, and to spend time talking with your God. A time of renewal.

2 Corinthians 4:16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

As eyes dim, knees stiffen up, and climbing a set of stairs steals our breath, it may seem like we have outlived our usefulness. But the Psalmist reminds us that the righteous will bear fruit, even in old age.

Psalm 92:12-15

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the Lord,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.’

So, happy National Centenarian Day to those who have reached the 100 year mark and to all those who see that milestone on the horizon. Rejoice in the Lord, give thanks for your years and your grey hairs.

For those who think old age is some distant land irrelevant to you, take some time this week to seek out your elders, to listen to them, to share time with them, maybe even to ask for advice.