Autumn Ardor

The Seasons are reasons to rejoice. Each part of the year has its own allure. Spring has blooming flowers and green hills, Summer bright sunrises and wealthier that warrants getting into the sea. Then there is Autumn which assaults the senses with spices, a riot of color, and the harvest. Pumpkins deck many decks, and the leaves fall in their brown, gold, and orange folds to paint the canvas of our world. The beauty of Fall is that everything is ripe, the colors, scents, and even food is bursting and even assailing us. Sadly, this season is marred by the dark arts. The tradition and holiday Halloween has cloaked this spirited season in shadow. This time of year really is meant to be one of celebration and rest, the reaping and the relaxation, "Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, 'In the seventh month on the first of the month you shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation." (Leviticus 23:24). It is also a time of giving, even before Thanksgiving there was giving during the Fall, "When you reap your harvest in your field and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow, in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands." (Deuteronomy 24:19).

Autumn is suppose to be a time of rest and rendering gifts to both those you love and less fortunate. Jesus says He is rest, "Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29). Fall is a time to fall into Christ's rest, and cease all the planting, tilling, and maintaining of the crops in your life. And yet, this relaxation is reserved for Winter or Christmastime, but in truth Winter is busier than Springtime, with all the hunting for presents and people pleasing. Fall is a time of rest, for Spring compels us to march through the fields, Summer to soar on the seas and swim in pools, but Autumn asks us to sit by a hearth, watch the fire, sip some pumpkin spice latte, read a book, and lay on couch; Winter is too cold to be cozy, and Christmas is a busy business these days.

Jesus Christ, our God and Savior used harvest time as an analogy for End of Days, "Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;  but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. ²But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?  He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” (Matthew 13:24-30). Christ's parable is profound, while we may yet have to tolerate evil among us who are Wheat, a day will come when Halloween and those who hallow evil things shall be burnt in fire.

It is a shame the satanic and Celtic tradition of Halloween (Halloween was once All Hallow's Eve, to hallow or honor the dead saints, preceding All Saint's Day which is 1st of October, but it evolved into the death celebration and demonic superstitions in England and now America) has taken this time of year captive. Certainly Thanksgiving breaks through, but the masqarade of All Hallow's Eve eclipses Turkey, Gravy, and Stuffing with Terrors, Ghosts, and Spirits. Thankfully we Protestants can take October 31st back, for that is the day The Reformation took root in the nail and hammer of Martin Luther who bore his 95 Thesis into the door of a Church in Wittinberg. This year if 499 Anniversary of the Reformation (on October 31), next year the 500th anniversary! For five hundred years we have been free to read The Holy Bible, and know Christ independent of popish cloaks and Roman cults! This year caste aside the costumes of Holloween and instead dawn the habit of Luther, Zwingili, Calvin, and more! As aformentioend this is a time of rest, reaping, and Reform (celebrating The Reformation)! So enjoy it! Stay away freom ghouls and share the Gospel, stop dressing up as Dracula and evil devils and instead explore the mind of Erasmus Disderius who inspired the Fathers of the Reformation!