Our Flight Through the Winter Dark ~ Celtic Advent Day 1

Image: 'Nights of Reindeer & Starlight' by Wood Hill.

Today has been the first day of Celtic Advent; an enfolding time of waiting for the birth of the Sun/Son at Midwinter.

There are several possible dates for Advent to begin ~ the first Sunday in December, the traditional church date & the beginning of the new church year, & December 1st, when we open the first door on our Advent calendars. This year both fall beautifully on the same day. 

But there is also an older tide; that of 'St Martin's Lent' or, what has become known as 'Celtic Advent', observed by the ancient church of Britain & Ireland; our 'indigenous Christianity' one might say, the one that listens, rather than imposes. This Advent is a waiting deeply woven through with the starlit winter dark, the Celtic saints, & the song of the sacred Land.

Most now keep Celtic Advent from November 15th (or the 14th eve), but 'St Martin's Lent' traditionally began at Martinmas on the 11th; a day still celebrated in some Eastern European countries as a men's festival marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, with the women's festival, Catterntide, on the 25th.

It's interesting that one of the symbols of St Martin, who was an ex-soldier & a protector of children & the poor, was a goose. Of which more on another day. But, for now, it's telling that in medieval times, although many celebrated Martinmas with an autumn feast, only the rich could afford a goose, with the poor dining on duck or hen.

Which is why it was such a subversive delight for the Cratchits to have a goose for Christmas Day in Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol'. In 1824, Dickens' father was sent to the Marchelsea prison in Southwark for a debt to a baker & Dickens was forced to leave school to work in a factory. No doubt, like many amongst us now, he had many Christmases without good cheer.

At Advent we set our minds to asking for nothing less than the rebirth of hope & justice, the World Turned Upside Down coming as a vulnerable child amongst outcasts & refugees. But, first, we make our long journey through the winter dark, trusting to starlight & our own inner flame to show us the way.

Image: 'Nights of Reindeer & Starlight' by Wood Hill.