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| Autmnal Path, Thomas Kinkade |
I delight in the changing of seasons. I hold a special place in my heart for Fall and Winter. Spring is pleasant, and Summer aside from a nice respite from academics is blazing hot and thus not very comfortable. Out of the four seasons I hold the deepest affinity for Fall. There is just something about the reds, the oranges, and golden yellows. I adore the spices, the pumpkins, and acorns. While some claim Fall is the dead season, I declare that it is actually the most lively. The air is filled with scents to amuse the senses and colors to dazel the eyes. Plus it is the time of the Harvest, when all the crops are reaped and people have bountiful feasts. It is a time of life in all sense of the word.
According to many theologians and archaeologists Christ was not born in December but actually in Fall (probably in October)! This would be appropriate because the Feast of Tabernacles falls during the autumnal months every year. The Feast of Tabernacles celebrates when God came and tabernacled with man: dwelt amongst man in the pre-temple tabernacle erected in the Wilderness by Moses. Thus it would be fitting that Jesus would come during such a feast since it would mean that God has come to tabernacle with us again, this time in the flesh. There also is a prophecy that Christ would fulfill all the feasts and He has except for the Feast of Trumpets which shall be fulfilled upon his return. (Revelation 8:7-12,11:15).
There is a new tradition I've adopted since last Fall. During the Autumnal period I read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving. The fable is one of the most well known spooky tales and has been recreated and adapted to film numerious times. I don't generally enjoy haunted legends, but the Legend of Sleepy Hollow is an exception. Irving is a master short story teller. He is able to enthrall the reader because his writing is both brillant and short. In the day and age where people have five minute attention spans (thank you video games, TV, and facebook), tales like Sleepy Hollow are the perfect choice. I won't ruin the legend, but I recommend any connoisseur of literature; any bibliophil and lover of great tales read it this Autumn. For those concerned that it maybe too frightening or like the Tim Burton adaptation starring Johnny Depp, have no fear! This beloved classic is nothing like the morbid retelling by Burton. In fact, some of the best moments have nothing to do with the Headless Horseman. Irving, a prolific writer, in one scene describes a banquet. The detail and the way he articulates the feast makes the reader see, smell, and taste the delicious pumpkin pies, turkey and gravy, quail stew, fresh corn and cinnamon desserts. I'm getting hungry just recollecting!
As for All Hollow's Eve. I do not celebrate the most pagan and satanic holiday of the year. Halloween is not some innocent masquerade where you receive candy. It is a high solstice celebrated by the Occult. In fact, the Jack-O-Lantern that everyone feels compelled to carve and light and place in their yard is from a devilish ritual that began in England. Long ago, warlocks and satanic men would threaten households by taking their daughters and sacrificing them. To save their daughters fathers were obliged to pay the warlock and as sign that the debt for the daughter was paid a Jack-O-Lantern was placed in the yard or near the front door so that the 'collector' would pass. If the father couldn't pay up, the daughter was sacrificed and her remains placed in a Jack-O-Lantern and placed on the porch! Such much for Jack being a swell chap!
The entire celebration of Halloween is writhed in death. Skeletons, tombstones, spiders, bats, and other ghouls. People who on an ordinary basis are full of zest and life place these icons of death and horror all over their houses. And what for? Why is this appealing? Is it some sense of morbidity within man? Do we serve a God of Life all year and then abandon Him for a night to worship death with the devils?
There are alternatives that Churches have attempted to create for those who love to dress up and Trick-or-treat. These Harvest Festivals tend to be filled with activities like carnival games and the more morose and lascivious costumes are not permitted. I frankly have not qualms with dressing up as your favorite ficitional character. I think It's wonderful to dawn a cape or whatever attire associated with your favorite hero or villan. However, I don't think doing it to celeberate the most insidious holiday of the year is wise. I think a new holiday should be established that is about life, not death. That encourages people to dress up, but not as devilish characters like the many serial-killers in horror films. Harvest Time is a time of the year when we can celebrate the best of life. The season itself is an explosion of the most vibrancy and beauty in the year. It's like a star that explodes and gives off a array of color. Then it fades and is gone and we are left with Winter.
If Autumn is not your favorite season, and your prefer Spring, Summer or Winter then great! Each season has It's own blessing. However, I feel most blessed and joyous during the time of Fall.
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