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I know that I am not alone when I say that I love fall. The colors, the crispness in the air, the cool temperatures, the smell of pumpkin and cinnamon wafting through the air as we cuddle in sweaters and blankets before a fire — yes, those thoughts bring a smile to my face. This fall has been especially beautiful; the colors of the changing leaves have been brighter, more vibrant, and longer lasting. The variance in color seems to be more pronounced as well. I’m told there is a scientific reason for this – something like more rain and cooler temperatures in the summer. Whatever the reason, I’m just basking in the artistry of it all and wanting to be out in it as much as possible.
Some of the fall colors in my front yard.
I was driving this past week with my fifteen year old daughter, who has also been enthralled with the variety of color on the trees. She really can’t get over it! She said something that I initially dismissed, but the more I have been thinking about it, the more profound it seems.
“I just love fall. I mean I love spring and the colors of the blossoms, but there’s just something about the colors of death. I love the beauty of death.”
I had never thought of it like that before — that all the beauty of fall is due to the fact that the leaves are dying! They are losing chlorophyll and thus losing their green and changing color. They will soon die and fall of the tree onto the ground.
I have said before that spring is one of my favorite seasons because it reminds me of hope. All winter the trees have been dormant, barren, lifeless. The world seems bleak, as it often does during times of trial and affliction. Then those first buds of spring appear and you know that there is hope! Suddenly the earth is bursting in luscious greens and pinks and yellows and we are reminded that God is indeed faithful to His promises! But in all that I have never thought of loving fall because of the death it represents.
Is there beauty in death? I can think of one death in particular that should bring us to our knees — the death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He truly is the holy, all-powerful, all-knowing God, yet He so loved us that He left the riches of heaven and came to earth where He suffered and bled and died a brutal death at the hands of sinful men so that we might become children of God. (Eph. 2:4-7; Phil. 2:5-11; Acts 2:22-24, 1 John 3:1)
When we see the beauty of the fall leaves we should be reminded of the beauty of Christ's death on the cross for our sins. Click To TweetSpeaking of His imminent crucifixion, Jesus said in John 12:23-24, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” Jesus would be glorified by dying! Just as a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies to produce a rich harvest, so also Christ’s death would bear much fruit by providing salvation for many.
Romans 5:8 tells us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. The holy, pure, sinless Son of God became sin on our behalf because of His great love and mercy. According to Romans 3:23 and 6:23, we are ALL sinners and are thus deserving of death and hell. But Christ humbled Himself to the point of death, even death on a cross, so that we might be saved and enjoy fellowship with Him.
So, yes, there is beauty in death, but even more beautiful is the fact that he didn’t stay dead. He came back to life again three days later, never to die again and is currently sitting at the right hand of God the Father as our mediator. And that is what we rest our hope in! This is the perfect opportunity to share the gospel with your children — it’s right before your eyes! Talk with them about why the leaves fall of the trees and the hope of spring and then lead into Jesus dying on the cross for our sins and the newness of life that comes thru the resurrection.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
What are some other ways you see the gospel in fall?
This post is linking back to this link-up party.
Great insight into finding the Gospel in Fall. It’s always amazing to me how the Gospel is our central story no matter what. Thank you for sharing such wisdom!
I love how you were able to look at fall through a scriptural lens. I see the death of the leaves as us dying continually to ourselves and our way and becoming more like Him.
Also thanks so much for commenting on my Blog Post. I really appreciate your kind words. I hope you enjoyed looking through the items.
I absolutely think you are right about seeing our dying to ourselves in fall. And when we do, God renews us beautifully as in the spring.
I’m glad to have had the opportunity to look through your store. I love the faith t-shirts! I will be seeing if I can’t get some for Christmas!