Bethlehem Bound

 

The Light shines into the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it or put it out.

 

Begin this morning by speaking your Advent word aloud and listening for how the Eternal Echo responds to your voice.

 

Light and darkness are dancing today.  This is true in John’s prologue, and it is true in Genesis.  In fact, the very first act of creation we read is, And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light God saw that the light was good, and the Creator separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness Artist/Author/Inventor called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. (Genesis 1:3-5).  Go back and re-read this.  Notice that a familiar phrase is missing.  Usually, God’s creativity culminates in God saying that what is formed and fashioned is good, except here.  Separation is not declared as “good”.  Having light and darkness as distinct or different is not called good.  Darkness and light have always been in a divine dance.  Both are needed and necessary.  Both are holy.  There is a great hymn called “Holy Darkness.”  The opening words are:

 

Holy darkness, blessed night,
heaven's answer hidden from our sight.
As we await you, O God of silence,
we embrace your holy night.

 

Tonight, when the sun sets, light a candle (which our Jewish friends will do tonight to welcome the Sabbath).  Let that flickering flame dance with the darkness ~ see how the two hug and hold each other.  Let the light and darkness meet you in the story.  Speak your Advent Word aloud to the light and darkness, seeing how both have truths to sing to you.  May the holy darkness of God bless you this night as we continue to make our way to the manger on Christmas Eve to see how darkness and light are always tangled and twisted with each other.  May God’s peace/shalom/wholeness/healing and presence hold and enfold you this week.  Amen.