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Of Fairies, Shakespeare, and John the Baptist
Posted by DariaSockey in Faith on Friday, June 24, 2011 9:01 AM
Daria's Players
Our homeschool group is putting on a one-hour version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream this Saturday, missing by only one day the traditional Midsummer’s Night, which in medieval days was celebrated not on the 21st, but on June 24th, the feast of the birth of St. John the Baptist. Luke 1:26 suggests that John was born six months before Jesus, hence the timing of this feast.
Sometimes called “the summer Christmas,” the Baptist’s nativity is the occasion for all kinds of fun in Europe and Canada. Bonfires and fireworks displays are common, as are parades and carnivals.
In Scandanavia, children go “trick or treating” on this day, stemming from a pre-christian belief that on Midsummer’s Night, goblins, fairies, and demons were abroad and active. Christian faith, and the Baptist’s co-opting of this day, have now rendered it a day of harmless fun—these preternatural beings have no power over believers.
But now we see why Shakepeare’s story of fairies playing pranks on both mortals and on one another is so appropriately set on a Midsummer’s Night in ancient Athens.
Some Christian parents—with good intentions that I don’t wish to put down—would hesitate before letting their children act the parts of fairies or mortal men bewitched by their magic. Since there are enough people who play at being pagans and celebrating the solstice these days, their hesitation is very understandable.
But I think the fact that St. John the Baptist now owns Midsummer’s Night gives us all the excuse in the world to put on costumes and entertain our friends with a funny story about magic, love potions, and mistaken identities. These things, so fearsome before Christ came, have no power over us.
It is fitting for the redeemed to laugh at them.
Comments
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Posted by Daria on Friday, Jun 24, 2011 11:43 AM (EDT):
Well,it’s not like we planned it this way. Our co-op was rehearsing sporadically since March and not progressing very well. We finally decided to do an intensive 3-day drama camp to get the darn thing finished and performed before we all went away on summer vacations. It was only after setting the date that I remembered about the feast day. Just a happy coincidence. Normally I don’t have enough forethought to plan even a cake for this feast, so really are less of a loser than I am.
Posted by Pam on Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 9:35 AM (EDT):
Daria, you may not have planned it that way but God’s timing is always perfect! I had never heard of this feast until this summer. My daughter is studying abroad in Spain and the town she is in is noted as the place to be for this celebration. So I have been doing research on exactly why this would be such a big deal only to discover the Feast of St John the Baptist. I was so excited to see your article this morning. We need to spread the word about this feast day! I hope not to miss it next year. God bless.
Posted by Daria on Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 12:03 PM (EDT):
How wonderful she can be in Spain for a major saints feast like this one. I spent a summer there years ago when I was a student. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel was a huge feast, and on St. Christopher’s day, the young men spent the day driving there cars around, continuously honking their horns in his honor (patron of motorists, right?) Best of all—the town I stayed was San Lorenzo (St. Lawrence), and there were carnivals and parades that day, plus the mayor put out free pastries for everyone.
I also should have said in the article above that St. John the Baptist is also a big deal in South and Central America, and many of the Carribean nations. He is the patron of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the celebration there is huge as well. So there is one place at least where he is honored in a big way on US territory.
Posted by Terri on Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 10:43 PM (EDT):
We lived in Malta for 3 1/2 years. Every village has a patron saint (some, 2 or 3, depending on the number of churchs…there are 350+ churches and chapels on the island) and week long festivities to go along with their feast days. The Nativity is St. John the Baptist is huge there because of he’s the St. of one of the Co-Cathedrals, but also because of the Knights of St. John (AKA Knights of Malta) who ended up settling in Malta and defending her against the Turks. Wish we were better about REALLY celebrating St.s Feast Days here in the States.
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