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| Image by Hans Kylberg |
A Meditation for the Longest Night
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A GREETING
O God of Israel, my soul in anguish and my wearied spirit, cry out to you.
(Baruch 3:1 var.)
A READING
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
(Isaiah 43:1b-2)
MUSIC
A MEDITATIVE VERSE
When I thought, ‘My foot is slipping’, your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up.
(Psalm 94:18)
A REFLECTION
God came to us because he wanted to join us on the road, to listen to our story, and to help us realize that we are not walking in circles but moving towards the house of peace and joy. This is the great mystery of Christmas that continues to give us comfort and consolation: we are not alone on our journey. The God of love who gave us life sent us his only Son to be with us at all times and in all places, so that we never have to feel lost in our struggles but always can trust that he walks with us... Christmas is the renewed invitation not to be afraid and let him -- whose love is greater than our own hearts and minds can comprehend -- be our companion.
- from Gracias! A Latin American Journal by Henri Nouwen,
excerpted in Advent and Christmas Wisdom from Henri J.M. Nouwen
VERSE FOR THE DAY
With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back.
(Jeremiah 31:9)
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MUSIC
On this ‘longest night’ of the year, which coincides with the solstice, many faith traditions gather together to honour and accompany those for whom the Christmas season is a painful time of absent loved ones and significant losses. The crowding commercial ‘cheer’ of the season can feel overwhelming and even impossible to bear. We may be gutted by the knowledge, memory or living out of realities that cannot be fixed or changed. Sometimes that truth can leave us feeling profoundly lost and alone. Although we may wish to, we may not really see any hope on the horizon at all. Today we make space for that painful place.
In today’s two music selections featuring British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, his sister Isata Kanneh-Mason, and Zak Abel, we have a chance to experience companionship within sorrow. In the first video, the musicians are united in their expression of grief-infused longing. In the song just above, the singer describes having been in the “same boat” as the one who is suffering, offering a kinship of common experience. We also see and hear the companionship of these two artists as they interconnect musically.
The birth of Jesus reminds us that we never have to be alone within our own internal pain, temptation or isolation. Jesus has experienced suffering and his love is always with us.
We learn from the way we observe the cycle of Jesus’ life from year to year that light does not ‘overcome’ darkness, instead, darkness and light are each other's lifelong companions. Darkness is a place where healing begins, even when we cannot imagine or feel it, and light is when we recognize or see where we are, wherever that may be. From this day forward, the days get longer again. The coming of Jesus brings with it a sense of new beginnings.
What are the challenges in your life that you can invite Jesus to hold with you? Or, if you are someone who is not feeling challenged in these days, who do you know who is? How can you bring the comforting love of Jesus to them today?
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| Image by Hans Kylberg |
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LC† A Joyful Noise is a project of Lutherans Connect, supported by the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Centre for Spirituality and Media at Martin Luther University College. To receive the devotions by email, write to lutheransconnect@gmail.com. The devotional pages are written and curated by Deacon Sherry Coman, with support and input from Pastor Steve Hoffard, Catherine Evenden and Henriette Thompson. Join us on Facebook, and on Twitter. Lutherans Connect invites you to make a donation to the Ministry by going to this link on the website of the ELCIC Eastern Synod and selecting "Lutherans Connect Devotionals" under "Fund". Devotions are always freely offered, however your donations help to support extended offerings throughout the year. Thank you and peace be with you!
