[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during November 2022]
In 1820 the English poet John Keats published his ‘Ode to Autumn’ with its now-famous opening line, ‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’. For many of us in northern climes the thoughts of autumn are fading from the memory as we face the prospect of a period of colder weather. The opening lines from another English poet start to take on a new significance: in 1872 Cristina Rossetti wrote a poem starting ‘In the bleak midwinter’ which subsequently became a popular Christmas carol.
It may be premature to think of ‘chestnuts roasting on an open fire’ but for many people an open fire or a stove is essential for combating the cold of winter. In rural areas of Scandinavia, the Baltic countries and eastern Europe, firewood is the principal means of heating and, for some, cooking. It is said that firewood warms you twice – firstly when you cut it and secondly when you burn it. However, it is not without its downside; the Bible has some advice for would-be lumberjacks:
Whoever splits logs may be endangered by them. If the axe is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success. Ecclesiastes 10 v9-10
The book of Ecclesiastes is often given a low priority due to its frequent observations about the futility of life. However, with a festive season imminent, consider this recommendation:
So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun. Ecclesiastes 8 v15
Cristina Rossetti’s words will no doubt be heard ad nauseam during the next few weeks but, contrary to the impression given in many of our town centres, we have not yet reached the Christmas season. Christians in the older-established denominations prefer to think of the forthcoming period as Advent – a time of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and also for remembering that he has promised to come again. This second aspect of Advent is widely overlooked, even by many of those who ought to know better.
The actual origins of the season of Advent are uncertain but it appears to date back to before 500AD. The word ‘Advent’ itself does not appear in most English versions of the Bible but it does in the Latin Vulgate version and that leads us to a passage of scripture where the apostle Paul wrote about the forthcoming event:
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God 1 Thessalonians 4 v16
Jesus himself spoke about his return:
You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Luke 12 v40
Christmas is coming but, more importantly, Christ is coming. Are you ready?
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Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © the Author
Thank you Steven! BGB