Carol Schmit
During this unique Advent, in our liturgies, we read from the book of the prophet Isaiah 13 times, this evening makes it 14. There are 4 liturgies for Christmas. Isaiah is the Old Testament reading for all of them. Some scholars refer to him as the prophet of the passion. But at this Christmas time he surely is the prophet of Advent and the Incarnation.
The most memorable passages are filled with images.
Comfort my people. They shall beat their swords into plowshares. There shall be no harm or ruin on my holy mountain. A lion shall lie down with the lamb. A virgin shall conceive. A little Child shall lead them.
Those of us who had a chance to listen to Handel’s Christmas Messiah were reminded again: “This Child shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, Prince of Peace. And he shall reign forever.” That is right out of Isaiah. Isaiah foresaw the coming salvation as something wholly new, it was something for which the world had been longing.
Without a doubt, some part of Christmas this year will be remembered because of the black cloud of darkness that hangs over us. COVID 19 is in everyone’s vocabulary. Earth Mother is crying out for our help. Immigrants and refugees are fleeing from violence in many war torn countries, looking for a home. This year, that darkness can make the light even brighter.
Isaiah is filled with images of light breaking in on the darkness.
In the first lesson we have just read, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom, a light has shone. They will experience a great joy.” The Jews of Isaiah’s time couldn’t help but believe that Emmanuel of chapter 7 had to be the promised messiah. There had to be darkness to show the brilliance of the light.
This year, the Star of Bethlehem was visible in our western sky.
Last Monday night I took out my binoculars in the ready. I stepped outside several times to check the sky at sundown. Clouds, darkness, disappointment. But did that make any difference to the grand conjunction? Jupiter and Saturn appeared so close together that they shone as one fantastic light. Even if I didn’t see it. It is not coincidental. Astronomers have been able to mark conjunctures for centuries. With the coming of the winter solstice, Dec. 21, with certainty we move into a time of increasing light.
A sign took our breath away last Monday night. Without even seeing the conjuncture, we knew that the universe has been functioning in right order over these billion years. Always in motion with the sun sending out life-saving light. The planets in their order: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.
Into all of this cosmic activity, Isaiah says, “A Child will be born.” And we slip easily into our Christmas story.
“In the beginning was the Word: the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The word was present to God from the beginning. In the Word was life, and that life was the light of us all---a Light that shines in the darkness, a Light that the darkness could not overpower.” Jn.1
Into this swirling, churning, magnificent cosmos at one moment in history, came the light, the Word of God spoken from the beginning, the Savior, Emmanuel.
The Lord of the universe was wrapped in baby clothes. A most humble coming among us. The wonder of this event could not be contained, the angels appeared in the night sky. The Gospel reading from Luke picks up the theme: “Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them. I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Gloria, Gloria.”
The profound mystery of the Incarnation is this: The Word of God became flesh and made his dwelling among us. Among us. He pitched his tent with his people. He came as a needy but graced infant, dependent on us.
Of this we are sure. The light of Christ is focused over us this Christmas.
It breaks through when we:
** sit in prayer, in absolute openness to the healing order of the universe, prayer not only for
ourselves but for every person. We are all related.
** when we just plain stand in awe of the heavens in their perfect order.
** pay attention.
** reach out with a “How are you,” “How can I help you?”
** together join others in action to save our precious earth.
** when we have more than we need, we build a longer table not a higher wall.
This Christmas let us remember that the persistent Star of Bethlehem is shining over our home. We know it is present, right here.( gesture over my heart) right here. (everyone out there)
And we don’t need binoculars to see it. Sister Carol Schmit
