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| Image by Martin Eckert |
A GREETING
My soul shall rejoice in the Lord!
(Psalm 35:9a)
A READING
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
(Luke 2:1-7)
MUSIC
A MEDITATIVE VERSE
Grace is poured upon your lips;
therefore God has blessed you forever.
(Psalm 45:2b)
A POEM PRAYER
Instructions for living a life:
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.
- from "Sometimes" by Mary Oliver
VERSE FOR THE DAY
Then they spoke to the angel of the Lord who was
standing among the myrtle trees, "We have patrolled the earth,
and lo, the whole earth remains at peace."
(Zechariah 1:11)
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Reindeer captured in Tromsø, Norway by Even Tryggstand,
found on Instagram at @eventyr.
In telling the story of the nativity, we like to imagine it taking place at night. Perhaps we are guided by the narrative of the shepherds "watching their flocks by night," and guided by a star. Within this tableau we are perhaps more able to connect to the mystery, stillness and wonder of the birth. And yet, as we have been exploring in recent days, we know that Jesus was born into a complex and corrupt political time. His parents were so pressed by the regime to pay taxes, and so lost among the throng, that they could not find a suitable place for the birth. Even those who come to pay homage had to leave in secret. The story of Jesus' birth has danger at every turn.
In the Celtic tradition, Christmas Eve is a time of storytelling. Prayers are offered for those who have passed out of this world during the previous year, and people gather at their graves at night to lay fresh holly, one of the most important plants for the Celtic winter festivals. Sometimes a door is left unlocked to welcome the spirits of those who are gone, with food and a lit candle for an unexpected neighbour or wayfarer or spirit. This custom was later borrowed for Saint Nicholas and Santa.
Traditions can become routine, the opposite of what Christmas calls us into. Jesus comes into our lives, not to help us settle back into a status quo, but to inspire us to bring truth to power, to go into the communities we live in, emboldened with our vision for how to build the realm of God. Within this perspective, we may be better able to tell the truth of our own lives and of the hardships we want Jesus to set free. We might be better able to see the dark skin of Jesus, and the midnight light of the lamps held by those who are fleeing persecution and injustice, as Jesus and Mary and Joseph soon will be. Jesus brings comfort and peace, only through the knowledge that we ourselves have the power to change the way the world works. It is in acting on this knowledge that we can experience a true and lasting joy.
Advent is over: Jesus is being born once again into our lives. What does it mean to release ‘waiting’ and receive ‘joy’, knowing beyond 'joy' there is so much work to be done in Jesus’ name?
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| Image by Martin Eckert |
LC† Come Holy Darkness 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!