A couple of weeks ago we attended an "End of Winter" bonfire celebration.
It was strange to see a huge cross wrapped in dead Christmas trees and surrounded at the foot with bales of hay. A fire-torch procession came up the hill and surrounded the cross and then they simultaneously lit the bonfire with their torches. It must have taken well over 30 minutes to burn - and it really burned!
It was an eerie feeling standing there watching this giant cross being consumed with flames - as a follower of Christ, the cross is a symbol of love, grace and hope, and I had to keep reminding myself that this is a cultural thing, not a religious event, that ended a season and was for a blessing on spring harvest.
When the fire was done, and all the dead wood had vanished, the structure of the cross remained undamaged. I was reminded of how in the Old Testament an offering would be made, a sacrifice for sin, and it would be consumed by fire and the sin was forgiven. As I looked at the cross still standing there, it felt like a picture to me: I watched my sin consumed, forgiven and forgotten.
It was strange to see a huge cross wrapped in dead Christmas trees and surrounded at the foot with bales of hay. A fire-torch procession came up the hill and surrounded the cross and then they simultaneously lit the bonfire with their torches. It must have taken well over 30 minutes to burn - and it really burned!
It was an eerie feeling standing there watching this giant cross being consumed with flames - as a follower of Christ, the cross is a symbol of love, grace and hope, and I had to keep reminding myself that this is a cultural thing, not a religious event, that ended a season and was for a blessing on spring harvest.
When the fire was done, and all the dead wood had vanished, the structure of the cross remained undamaged. I was reminded of how in the Old Testament an offering would be made, a sacrifice for sin, and it would be consumed by fire and the sin was forgiven. As I looked at the cross still standing there, it felt like a picture to me: I watched my sin consumed, forgiven and forgotten.
But the Cross remains.
It stands eternally as a symbol of his undying love.
lovely thoughts Lis!
ReplyDelete:) Thank you.
DeleteI've never looked at the 'Buergbrennen' like that. Thanks for a different perspective.
ReplyDeleteHi Alison,
DeleteThanks for reading. We really enjoyed the evening and learning something new about this culture! It was really different! :)