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| Image by Tony Armstrong-Sly |
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The Longest Night
A GREETING
My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
(Psalm 119:28)
A READING
Now I know your word is a lamp for my steps,
for the path just ahead of me.
My eyes greet the night watches
in meditation on your promise.
(Psalm 119:105;148)
MUSIC
A MEDITATIVE VERSE
When you pass through the seas, I will be with you;
when you pass over the rivers, you will not drown.
Walk through fire, and you will not be singed;
walk through flames and you will not be burned.
(Isaiah 43:2)
A REFLECTION
The presence and experience of colour is at the very heart of human life. In a sense, we are created for a life full of color. It is no accident that we abandon the world when the colours vanish... Night is the land where all the outer colours sleep. We awaken and return to the world when the colours return at dawn. There is a beautiful word in Irish for this: luisne -- the first blush of light before dawn breaks.
- from "Beauty, The Invisible Embrace," by John O'Donohue
A BLESSING
To all that is chaotic
in you,
let there come silence.
Let there be
a calming
of the clamoring,
a stilling
of the voices that
have laid their claim
on you,
that have made their
home in you,
that go with you
even to the
holy places
but will not
let you rest,
will not let you
hear your life
with wholeness
or feel the grace
that fashioned you...
Let there be
an opening
into the quiet
that lies beneath
the chaos,
where you find
the peace
you did not think
possible
and see what shimmers
within the storm.
- from "Epiphany 4: Blessing in the Chaos" by Jan Richardson,
found on paintedprayerbook.com
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| "Street Light," by Giacomo Balla (1910-11) The painting was made when electric street lamps were new and being installed in Rome where the artist lived. The piece participates in the 'Futurism' movement in art which sought to glorify innovative technologies. How does this work challenge/compliment the idea of Christ in all things? |
Today is the winter solstice, in which those of us in the northern hemisphere experience the longest night of the year. In many traditions, services are held on the longest night in solidarity with those for whom Christmas is a difficult time of the year, due to separation from loved ones, loneliness, poverty, and many other realities.
In much of the northernmost part of the planet, today will have no sun at all. The Polar Night, in which there is continuous darkness, has been underway for most of this month. There is currently no daylight in Tuktoyaktuk, in the Northwest Territories, and there won’t be until January 13th. On that day, the sun will be up for half an hour.
The Celtic people prepared for the season and knew its nature. From year to year, a log was saved to rekindle, creating a new fire that would burn through the darkness. The Yule log allowed a means for keeping warm, and for doing tasks and chores that had to continue in the dark.
Jesus understands darkness, it is a part of his life. Jesus is born into chaos and violence and Jesus dies that way too. These framing realities do not alter his purpose or his commitment to bringing love to the world. Love lives in darkness, love lives in light. Jesus comes into all of it to bring his whole self to us, so that we may know him — in darkness, in light and in all the shades between. 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.
In today's music, we hear African-American composer Mark Miller's song, "I Choose Love," co-written with Lindy Thompson. In the video, a solo dancer is followed by a duet, as if to show that while we struggle alone, we are never actually alone: God holds us and carries us, sometimes through the activity of the people who surround us. Our lives in community are a dance in which sometimes we need support and sometimes we are there to support others. As you watch, reflect on the times when you have been either of these -- the solo dancer, or the dancer who comes in behind to support and accompany.
On this longest night, what is the anguish that Jesus is holding with you? How can you feel his strength as you move forward together, one love-drenched dance at a time?
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| Image by Uwe Jungherr |
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Scripture passages are taken from The Inclusive Bible.
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LC† Vigil in Hope is a devotional series 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. 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 support the ongoing work.
Thank you and peace be with you!
