Light in the Darkness
“Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder…For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.” —ISAIAH 9:1-3; 6 (NIV)
Today marks the shortest day of the year. Darkness snuffs out the light, sometimes as early as mid-afternoon (depending on where you live). All may seem bleak, as we wait for the dawn to break. It is because of these shortening days that an Advent tradition with origins in the middle ages found a unique adaptation in Sweden around 1800. Swedish children wear white and process into homes, schools, and community centers, each carrying a candle except for one girl who leads them. She plays the role of St Lucia, wearing candles as a crown on her head and carrying a basket of saffron scented buns and gingerbread cookies. St Lucia (a name that means light) was a third century Italian saint venerated because of her martyrdom, but known widely because she was credited with answered prayer when food was badly needed. Help came to people on a ship that arrived in the harbor with a beautiful woman in white standing at its bow.
Often we associate the lights dimming with the growing of our fears. It is no wonder that the welcoming of the reign of good over evil, of love over hate, is central to Christmas and to recognizing Jesus as the light of the world.
REFLECT
1. What are your surprising or beloved Christmas traditions? Finish the sentence: At Christmas, we always…
2. In our darkness, we welcome the light. In our hunger, we welcome the arrival of a delicious meal. In our sadness, we welcome joy. What is the need you are experiencing just now? What is the arrival you most desire?
RESPOND
“People, Look East” [Eleanor Farjeon. “People, Look East” in The Oxford Book of Carols. Ed. Percy Dearmer, RalphVaughan Williams, and Martin Shaw. (London: Oxford University Press, 1928). 162.] is an Advent song that invites everyone to look to where the sun will arise. To await the light that will one day chase away all darkness. The last verse says:
Angels, announce with shouts of mirth Christ who brings new life to earth.
Set every peak and valley humming with the word, the Lord is coming.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the Lord, is on the way.
What would Love’s arrival look like for you? Picture it, let it sink in, and rest there awhile.
A Blessing for the Light
In the light that meets our eyes at the dawning of the day and paints each created thing so lovingly with color and texture, shade and shadow, you give us delight.
In the light that meets our eyes in the setting of the sun and bathes the world in burnished gold, you give us peace.
In the dusk that blankets us in darkness, and settles the world in deepest blues, you give us rest.
God, the three in one, bless our days and for our nights, for the time we have, and for the eternity we glimpse from afar.
If it weren’t for the miracle of your love come down, we wouldn’t have known what to hope for.
O Come, Lord Jesus.
[Inspired by “Phos Hilaron” in Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England. (London: Church House Publishing, 2000). 783.]
GOING DEEPER
In Sweden, the story is told of a terrible famine in the Middle Ages which was relieved by the arrival of a ship bearing food and a beautiful, radiant woman in white at the helm. In Syracuse, Sicily, they speak of a famine in the midst of which folk went to the church of St Lucia to pray whereupon a grain ship sailed into the harbor. In both Italy and Sweden, Saint Lucia or Lucy represents light and the promise of spring’s renewal. Some scholars say that the Swedish version of Lucia is actually a descendant of the Christ Child who was the Protestant Reformation’s replacement for St Nicholas. By the early twentieth century, Lucia was a popular figure all across the country.
On December 13, a “Lucy Bride,” a girl dressed in white with a red sash and a crown of candles and lingonberries, has ceremonial responsibilities. In the home, she will bring coffee and cakes to her parents. In schools or public institutions, she leads a parade of similarly-clad young women and Star Boys. Across Europe, December 13 will be a time of bonfires and torchlit parades. In the Tyrol, Lucia is a gift-bringer who delivers presents to girls, while St Nicholas attends to the boys. Watch as the Carolinae Ladies Choir in Lund give a preview of a candlelit Lucia procession.