Christmas
“blue” – funeral home service Dec. 2014
This time of year is a season of too
much: there is too much darkness, a landscape that is too bare, too much
traffic, too much consumerism, too much chaos, too much food – drink –and merry
making, too many things to do, too much pressure, and too much fake happiness
and joy.
Despite all this, within my Lutheran
tradition, the next four weeks are my favourite season within the church year.
In the church this is the season of Advent – a time where Christmas is held at
bay, a time of reflection, a time that looks for hope, seeks peace, craves
love, and covets joy. The colour of the
season is blue. You see the season is not about merry-making, it is about
remembering who we are, where we have come from, and where our future might
lead. It is a time where we refrain from
“too much.” It is a time where we do not
need to put on airs and feel the need to be fake happy – we can be sad,
depressed, alone, grieving – seeking comfort.
During this season we read words
from the prophet Isaiah, words that you may know from Handel’s Messiah:
Comfort,
O Comfort my peoples says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her
...
A
voice cries out: in the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight
in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every
mountain and hill be made low, the uneven ground level, and the rough places a
plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see
it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
Words of hope spoken to a people in
exile, thousands of years ago. Words of comfort repeated by Handel for his
Messiah. Words of comfort and hope read
again and again, within Judeo-Christian circles. The words of the prophet speak to a people
who are grieving their homeland, a way of life, their traditions and religious
practices – the words offer hope in the image of an easy passage through the desert.
Who wouldn’t appreciate a little more ease in times of crisis, an ease to
everyday life, an ease to the hurts and pains human beings experience?
This year I need the season of
Advent, a season of blue, even more than usual.
At the end of August my dad died. Since I have been a pastor I have not
spent Christmas with my parents who live three provinces away, yet I know that
this Christmas will feel different. I am different. I understand a depth of
sadness I have not experienced before. It’s a sadness that has settled in and
become a permanent part of who I am. The words of the prophets, especially
those of Isaiah, are overflowing with an abundance of hope ... I feel the words
differently because there is a great sadness to comfort. Because of my father’s passing I more fully
grasp hope; and as I have grasped hope there is a greater sense of peace and
contentment. Dare I say I am joyful because hope has blossomed and is
blossoming in a new way.
In his later years, my dad crafted intricate Christmas decorations on
his scroll saw. Every family member, down through the grandchildren, have a
collection of his works of art. He was
very specific about the decorations – particularly in their theme. Each one is religious in nature, with the
intent of spreading his understanding of Good News. The decorations were to be a sign of hope
pointing to the glory of God.
The idea was to continually remind
those whom he loved that there is hope through the darkness, peace amidst the
chaos, love despite feelings of being alone, and joy that is not a fake-happy
but rather a contentment with what is.
This year, through the other side of
death, my dad continues to share the Good News.
This angel is one that my dad made. It is edged in blue stain –
reminding us to embrace sadness and grief – the angel cradles a bird in its
hands to reassure each of us that we do not walk alone; we are held in God’s
hands, we are held by this community – a shared grief, a shared seeking of hope;
we are not alone. The angel also offers
a promise: that to everything there is a season; a season for laments and one
for joyous singing; and as we live in Nova Scotia the season might change
instantly without warning.
Over the next few weeks, embrace the
angel songs –whether laments or joyous acclamations.
Be present for each other, open with
family and friends about the season you are in, share tears, and laughter,
stories, remembrances, and create new traditions.
Carry with you the words of the
prophet, as words of hope and words for action: Comfort, O comfort my people says your God.
As you comfort others, you also will
be comforted; here you will find God – love, hope, peace will be exchanged and
grow into joy for the present and for time eternal.
Peace be with you.
