We are meeting at the Enigma Tap tonight at 7:30pm
Today we start our advent theme and each week we will introduce a verse of the carol It Came Upon a Midnight Clear a Haiku written by Rob and a reflection.
This moon shines over earth
it even laments for peace
but is clothed in cloud
Welcome to our first advent reflection based on the hymn ‘It came upon a midnight clear’. The hymn was written by an American Unitarian Pastor in 1849. The hymn takes the message the angels brought to the shepherds in the Christmas story but much of its words are influenced by the political climate in America and Europe at the time of writing. A year earlier the Mexican-American War had ended and some European nations were said to be facing revolution. These events were fresh in Sears memories when he wrote this song.
It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold;
“Peace on the earth, good will to men
From heaven’s all-gracious King” –
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.
Many of us will be familiar with the Christmas story and the moment this song refers to. Shepherds out on the edge of the town looking after the sheep and goats when suddenly they are treated with lights, noise and strangers stood in their midst. The story tells us that these shepherds were terrified. This wasn’t a polite interruption it was shock and awe and the angels first words to the shepherds were ‘do not be afraid’.
That is the starting point. Before the message of peace and goodwill comes the banishment of fear. If you have ever had to deal with an individual or a group of people who are afraid or in shock, the first thing you do is tell them to calm down, take deep breaths and reassure them that they do not need to be fearful. Then you can begin to deal with the issues at hand. Sear’s gives us a world in solemn stillness. It waits seriously to hear the message. Often Christmas songs somewhat romanticise the Christmas story and maybe Sear’s does that hear. America was reeling from a war with Mexico and unrest on the horizon in Europe. Like the Shepherds, the world in 1849 was one of fear at what it was experiencing in that moment.
The same can be said for us. It is easy to live in fear. To be gripped and paralysed by it. The horrors we see in Palestine, war that rages in Ukraine, political shifts in the west. All of these can leave us in a state of shock and panic. Yet the sentiment of this first verse should not be lost. We need to still ourselves, tune out the noise designed to distract us and listen for the ancient song. There is another way.
Questions
Do you have an advent calendar? What type is it? Chocolate, homemade, candle etc
What are you most afraid of?
What practices help you “still yourself” and listen for messages of hope in times of uncertainty?
How does your faith help you or hinder you in dealing with fear, anxiety and guilt?
The shepherds were together when they received the angels’ message. How can community help in us overcoming fear?
What small actions can you take to bring peace and goodwill to your community or workplace?
What might the “ancient song” of peace and goodwill look like today?
Has been a part of BeachcomberFX since his arrival in the North East in 2014. He is well travelled (at least in the UK) having lived in Manchester, Nottingham, Derbyshire, Southport, Doncaster, Berwick and Edinburgh. Supporter of Newcastle United, will watch any sport.
