The pumpkins testify that the season of celebration is near. Autumn is the waiting room for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Advent, Hanukkah, and Christmas. It’s the stirring to prepare, to contact relatives, to make plans, and to stockpile supplies for gatherings. It’s the gatherings that really matter, for it’s in gatherings that we come face to face with Christ in others. The love of a brother, the truth in a sister, the warmth in parents and grandparents, even the greeting of a friendly neighbor are all welcome signals of the kingdom of our Father God.

I was surprised when I read in John 10:22, that Jesus had come to Jerusalem to celebrate Hanukkah, a celebration that Christians seldom observe: Then came the Festival of Dedication (Hanukkah) at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.

When the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt , He instituted three gatherings that were to be everlasting holidays for His people: Sukkot, the festival of tabernacles in the fall, which reminds His people of their lives in temporary shelters for forty years; the Shavout, the harvest festival; and Passover, the commemoration of God’s rescue of His people from the plagues of Egypt, held in the spring of the year. All of these festivals are gatherings of family and friends to remember and acknowledge the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and His mighty power in saving His chosen people. Hanukkah is not mentioned in the Torah, as the event it celebrates had not yet occurred. It comes in winter, and often at least partly coincides with Christmas.

Autumn brings nostalgia and remembering. In setting up holidays, on Jesus celebrating those holidays, we see God’s intention that we remember not just events, but that we remember Him, and call to mind His presence in our lives, His word in scripture, and His help in times past. As the Psalmist says, All you descendants of Jacob, Honor Him! Revere Him, all you descendants of Israel! For He has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; He has not hidden His face from him, but has listened to his cry for help. From you (O God) comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows. (Psalm 22:23)

The autumn can bring anticipation of pleasure and connection. The holidays are intended to be signposts in our spiritual journeys, every year helping us grow higher and deeper with our Creator, and they are seasons of renewal.

Love in Him,

Prue