Seasonal | Pilgrim's Perch

Advent

This year Advent begins on 29th November. It is a time of waiting – expectation and preparation, not only for Christmas and the birth of Jesus our Saviour but also for the second coming of Jesus as king, judge and redeemer. Advent takes us into a period of reflection on what are called the four last things – death, judgement, heaven and hell. Sombre stuff – perhaps not your usual pre-Christmas focus. In these austere times, it might be nice to indulge in a little festive frivolity. But Advent provides – if we allow it to – the chance to reflect on how we prepare for the coming of the one who judges but also saves.

Light is a powerful and potent theme at this time of the year. As a student I loved the Advent carol service in the cathedral of the city where I studied. The service would begin in darkness ; then from the west end a single voice would break the silence with the opening lines of the Advent prose, ‘Drop down ye heavens from above, and let the skies pour forth righteousness; let the earth be fruitful and bring forth a Saviour.’ The choir, carrying candles, would proceed up the aisle to their places; as they progressed, the light would grow brighter until the whole cathedral was bathed in the warm light that only candles can provide.

Candles offer a warm, subtle light — The warm light of candles

The light comes so that the darkness can be removed. God comes into the world in human form so that sin can be driven away. Waiting for that light offers a time when we can reflect on how we need to let God’s grace work in our lives; allow his light to push the demons out so that his light can shine and there is simply no space for darkness.

In the cathedral mentioned earlier is the tomb of the venerable Bede. Above it are engraved the words:

‘Christ is the morning star, who when the night of this world is past, brings to his saints the promise of the light of life and opens everlasting day.’

– words that mirror Rev 22:16 at the end of the bible where Jesus says, ‘I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.’ Hope and light indeed.

Stars - wonders of the universe — Morning star – just one of the billions visible to us

Looking for the Light

November whirls in with wind, rain and a shortening of the days. A new lockdown has placed certain restrictions on us and that is hard for many of us. The season of remembrance has come and nearly gone – All Saints, All Souls, Remembrance Sunday.

Poppies against skycaps — Poppies for Remembrance

It has been hard, being denied the opportunity to remember and give thanks for all those who have given so much in the past. With the waning of the year and with less freedom our thoughts turn more introspective. We recall, we remember, we give thanks for all those who have been dear to us, who have influenced our lives and who have enabled us to continue living in this beautiful, peaceful country. We have our share of problems – but we have so much to value, too, and for which to be thankful.

Thomas Hardy wrote in The Return of the Native:

‘When the curfew is sounded throughout Nature a spontaneous Promethean rebelliousness rises up in us to light a fire against the darkness and chaos.’

Light is so important at this time of the year. The Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, involves the lighting of clay lamps to ward off darkness and to signify the triumph of good over evil. Muslims have just celebrated the birth of the prophet Muhammad and the Jewish people celebrate the First Day of Hanukkah shortly – another celebration that involves the lighting of lamps. Through all these traditions runs the theme of light – light that shines in darkness and drives away bad things. War is remembered, but in a way that makes people yearn for an end to all wars. In 2000 a millennium prayer was formulated that might be used by people of all backgrounds and which is still so valid today:

‘Let there be respect for the earth, peace for its people, love in our lives, delight in the good, forgiveness for past wrong, and from now on, a new start.’

Michaelmas

The 29th September marks the feast of St Michael, the Archangel, or greatest of the angels – guardian against evil and darkness. This day is also known as Michaelmas and is used by many universities as the name of the autumn term. It is one of the quarter days, when rents used to be paid and debts settled. It comes close to the autumn equinox, when days and nights are of equal length. In the northern hemisphere summer will be fading, autumn draws on and the earth faces the onset of winter. Michaelmas coincides with a time of energy different to that of spring, when everything is bursting into life. Now, as fruits ripen, leaves turn colour and fall, the earth seems to draw in on itself. Energy is focussed inwards and downwards; plants close down their growing cycle and instead rebuild reserves for the next cycle of flourishing in the following year.

Picture of St Michael defeating the devil — St Michael defeats Satan

Legend has it that St Michael fought – and won – a battle against Satan, casting him out of heaven. Satan fell to earth – and landed in a blackberry bush. He was so incensed that he spat on the blackberries, cursing them and giving rise to the belief that it was bad luck to pick and eat blackberries after this date. Instead they should be left as food for birds and other wildlife at a time when natural food supplies were fading.

Fruit of the blackberry bush — Delicious fruit – but watch for the thorns!

The Michaelmas Daisy flowers at this time – one of the last blooms of summer. The colouring is warm, gentle and glowing – a symbol of light in the fading gloom, just as indoor lamps and fires will guard against the darkness and chill of approaching winter.