(Editor’s note: The following is a submission to The Recorder’s weekly column, “Faith Matters.” Each Saturday, a different faith leader in Franklin County offers a personal perspective in this space. To become part of this series, email religion@recorder.com or call 413-772-0261, ext. 265.)
By REV. BARBARA TURNER DELISLE
First Congregational Church of Montague
As we hear in one of our beloved Christmas hymns, “Isaiah ’twas foretold it … Mary … to show God’s love aright, she bore to us a Savior, when half spent was the night.” (“Lo, How a Rose E’re Blooming”)
Isaiah prophesies the birth of Jesus like so: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined … For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders.” (Is 9:2, 6)
A friend of mine shocked me the other day by saying, “There is no darkness.” You need look no further than the cycling of day and night, or the opening scriptures of the bible, to know that God created both light and dark … and God called it “good.” (Gen. 1:1-5) The existence of both, as God created it, means we always have hope.
Since the November elections, many people feel we are walking in a time of great darkness. Which is to say, we have entered into a time of unknowing. We have no idea how the choices made by our nation are going to play out. Many have fears. And then, many others are elated, feeling like they have finally been heard and will get something they have been sorely lacking for years.
We don’t know. But what is certain, and what we are reminded of particularly well at this time of year, is that there is a light that shines even when we walk in the darkness. And, the angels tell us, “Do not be afraid! Look! I bring you good news — wonderful, joyous news for all people.” (Lk 2:9)
Friends, we are facing a time of deep divide and deep challenges. The rules we have been operating on for years have been suddenly changed and the new system is not clearly defined as yet. We are walking in the darkness. But, the joyous news is we are up to these challenges and we are not walking alone or without counsel.
We are up to the task before us. We have the tools, even if we don’t think we do, to walk through this darkness. All of our faith practices will support us through this. We have prayer, meditation and compassionate listening practices. We have opportunity to gather together weekly at church, synagogue, mosque, meditation halls to help us remember, and ground us in, what is really important — love of God, neighbor, self and other, even enemy.
We have faith-based leaders who will guide us in taking actions that address social justice issues, much in the way Jesus led the people in his day. Our faith will see us through, just as the faith of the Israelites saw them through their time in exile so long ago.
The light that was birthed into the world in the body of the child named Jesus is still here among us now. It is the light that shows us the way forward through troubled times in our personal life, as well as our life in the world.
My friend says, “There is no darkness.” I disagree. But, it is clear to me that hope for humanity exists despite the darkness. It rests in each one of us embracing and acknowledging our shadow side, while rising above it to serve God, and one another, in ways that diminish suffering and alienation, and strengthen the multi-faceted nature of God’s creation. For this, Mary birthed light into the middle of the dark night.
May the light of Christmas bless you, each and every one!