By Scott Herr
The celebrations of Hannukah and Christmas this year fall simultaneously on December 25th. Both holidays celebrate how “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light…” (Isaiah 9:2), and how “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). It’s not a coincidence that these holidays come around the Winter solstice, the darkest time of the year in our hemisphere. Both Jewish and Christian scripture readings at this time reflect themes of light and darkness and remind us that while there surely is enough darkness in the world to go around (political chaos, abuse, discrimination, illness, death, warfare, famine, corruption, chilling murders in broad daylight, etc.), the light of God’s truth and justice will prevail.
During the four weeks of Advent preparations, anticipations and expectations, I think of Emily Dickinson’s poem, “Tell all the truth but tell it slant”:
Tell all the truth but tell it slant—
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth’s superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind —
In the Christian tradition, Advent is a time to reflect on how God comes to us in surprising and not so obvious ways. We sing carols like “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” with the lyrics, “veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail th’ incarnate Deity…” and tell again the story of the mystery of the incarnation: God showing up in a backwater town called Bethlehem, born in a manger, signaled by a star in the dark sky, announced to shepherds watching their flocks by night… I think Dickinson knew the truth that the revelation of God cannot be given to us bluntly, for it will crush us, but “slantly,” so that it may woo us with “explanation kind” and “dazzle gradually.”
The themes for Advent are traditionally hope, peace, joy and love. This week the theme is “peace.” At last week’s rotary meeting our District Governor, Robert Friend, shared some of his life journey and commitment to peacemaking. He showed us a “peace pole” that he had made with the words, “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” Of course, we all hope and pray for peace on earth, but we also know that, as one of my rabbi friends taught me, peace is like a camping tent. It’s constantly getting blown over and you have to put it back together again over and over and over.
One of my friends watches “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy during Advent every year. It’s not your typical Hallmark holiday movie series! In one of the most gripping scenes from “The Fellowship of the Ring,” the Fellowship encounters the Balrog, an evil so ancient and terrible that the good wizard Gandalf turns to his friends and says, “This foe is beyond any of you. Run!” As they escape across the bridge of Khazad-dûm, Gandalf holds up his staff and stands between them and commands the Balrog, “You shall not pass!”
In Advent, the readings and even the literal descent into darkness of this season invite us to reflect on our own versions of the Balrog, whatever enemies or obstacles in life, that are beyond our limited power to realize peace in our hearts, our families, our communities, our world. This season is a time to face down the darkness, but also a time to remember that there is one who stood between us and every darkness, who faced what we cannot face, and through the “deeper magic” of self-giving love declared to death itself, “You shall not pass!”
For those who are not in such a holly jolly mood this holiday season (for whatever reason), a number of our congregations are joining together to offer a “Blue Christmas” service on Sunday, December 22nd, at 4:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. The service will allow for a time to tell all the truth, but tell it slant; a time to grieve and mourn, as well as to remember the promises of our faith. And we will light candles and remember that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Scott Herr is the Pastor and head of staff at the First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan.
