In the Northern hemisphere the seasons fit well into the churches calendar. As we descend into a time of limited daylight hours, dark mornings and evenings and cold conditions we remember in our churches the time of darkness that the Jews went through in the two centuries before Jesus’ birth. They came through a period of persecution by Antiochus Epiphanes, when their leader Judas Maccabeus, fought to preserve the Jewish faith from extinction. Then followed the challenges of living under Roman rule, and they waited with longing for a time when their Messiah would come and set them free.
” The race that long in darkness pined”
On the first Sunday in Advent we are thankful to bring out the Advent ring and start looking forward to a time of rejoicing that our Saviour has come, amidst all the darkness of this stage of the year. After the shortest day on December 21st4 things can only get lighter and brighter, and this is the message of our Christian Christmas too.
Now that I have spent a Christmas in Australia, in 2024, I realise that for them it is very different. Their winter comes in June, July, and August, bringing much needed rain and quite a few cold windy days, but by November their days are getting longer and warmer and, come December, sunshine can be dazzling and heat intense. So how does the Christian Advent fit into this pattern?
Well, the good news is that Christianity in Australia is alive and well, brought as a precious treasure by the early settlers who established Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian etc congregations. Adelaide, where I visit, is often described as a city of churches. There will be Advent rings in many churches, although you can’t see the candle flames so easily in bright sunshine! As they worship in shorts and T shirts, or sundresses there will be anticipation and joy as they prepare to celebrate our Saviour who has come to redeem our World, amidst so much spiritual darkness. I found it different, but the main message was the same. And who knows what the weather was like when Jesus was born? He came and that is the most important thing.
Heavenly Father, we thank you that you sent your Son into this world with all its darkness and sin. Thank you for Advent rings that remind us of the precious time when we approach the celebration of His birth.