When the Christians came the midwinter horn blowers ‘changed their tune ’ to keep their jobs”. So the midwinter horn became the Advent horn announcing the coming of the Lord. It is only played between Advent and Epiphany. It represents not just the trumpets the angels played over Bethlehem to announce the First coming of our Lord but also the other Advent theme of the last fearful trumpet when our Lord will return in splendour.
The Midwinter horn is about 4 foot long and made from a slightly curved tree trunk which is then cut in half lengthwise. The two pieces are then hollowed out and rejoined and glued together. Approximately 8 notes can be produced.
It was sometimes used in the Netherlands during the Second World War to warn people to hide their radio sets at the approach of German patrols.
The Advent horn has been played in St Margaret’s Church in Chipstead at the start of services in Advent for over twenty years by the Rev. John Wates OBE thus reminding the congregation of the two vital meanings of Advent.
Rev. John Wates OBE
