Holiday demands we reach out to one another
The other night, I was in my living room, with all the lights off, only a soothing candle burning on the coffee table, unwinding and relaxing and listening to a CD of Handel’s Messiah. It opens quietly with an orchestral introduction that segues into the gentle, haunting tenor solo of the Overture. “Comfort ye my
people.” And then using the prophet Malachi, the mighty and monumental message, “Behold he shall
come” is proclaimed. The word “behold” has 1,154 occurrences in sacred scripture. It has an urgency about it and calls people to grasp a hold of, and to retain, something that is being shown or demonstrated. It is an interjection — a word stuck into a sentence to startle the listener and break up the rhythm. “Behold!” urges us to “be” and to “hold”’ to be still and attentive; to hold on, and to hold on tight.
The choral section from Handel’s nativity cycle is glorious music: ”For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” Those marvellous words are taken from the prophet Isaiah and the first reading that we hear proclaimed each year at the Christmas Midnight Mass.
Isaiah’s testimony has built up a frightening picture of the darkness and distress about to descend upon both Judah and the northern kingdom of Israel. But that darkness and distress were not the prophet’s final words. Precisely upon this land has shined a great light. The great light that comes decisively into this profound darkness tears people away from their confusion and emptiness, from the violence and tyranny of the oppressor. On the inhabitants of a country in the shadow dark as death, light has blazed forth! The symbols of the Assyrian oppression: the yoke of their burden, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, shall be broken. The garments of war shall feed the flames. The destruction of warlike equipment heralds an age of peace.
The royal child whose birth is so poetically announced will possess the wisdom of Solomon, the valour and piety of David, the great virtue of Moses and the patriarchs. The contemporary kings of Judah had been disastrously advised and were powerless in warfare.
By the title “Wonderful Counselor,” the new king will have no need for advisers such as those who led King Ahaz astray. As a result of this new king’s reign, people will live in harmony with God, each other and nature. It is no wonder, then, that the Church has appropriated Isaiah’s exultation of this brilliant light and royal birth for our celebration of the birth of Jesus.
During the past years, who has not felt deeply the darkness and gloom of our world? Consider the tragic and violent situations of the lands we call “holy.” Lands that were once touched by God, the patriarchs and prophets, and the Messiah himself, are killing fields. Think of the uncertainty and despair of so many people. Such strong feelings of darkness and gloom usually stem from our attempts to act as isolated beings or islands, instead of communities of people genuinely concerned about one another and about the suffering of our brothers and sisters.
The prophetic texts read during the Advent and Christmas feasts are a new summons to reach out to one another, to recommit ourselves to bearing God’s light to the nations, and to recognize each other as partners in building up the Kingdom of God.
“Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God; speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem; and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord: make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”
Please include the 2012 Calgary Herald Christmas Fund selected recipients in your gift-giving this year.