Blue Christmas

…on them a light has shined.

“The Christmas Market has been canceled!” It was my daughter on the phone. Clara lives in Munich and, for weeks, she had been sending us photos of all the preparations for the Christmas Market. Unfortunately, Germany has been experiencing a surge in Covid cases this last week and rather than risk the health of citizens, they made the decision to cancel the annual celebration. Clara was very disappointed. “It feels like Christmas is canceled!”

I know how she feels; I remember last year. I remember standing in a mostly empty sanctuary, staring out into the darkness, trying to imagine the on-line congregation. Judy Kabodian, Jonathan Reed, myself and a quartet of singers tried to fill the space with the familiar carols. But it didn’t feel like Christmas. We were all alone, in the dark.

Reading Luke’s Gospel, it seems like Mary and Joseph were in a similar position – all alone, in the dark. I think about Mary, in the throes of labor with only Joseph for support. It wasn’t supposed to be that way. Mary should have been at home, with her mother, in the company of female relatives. The birth of Mary’s first child did not go according to her plan.

I check the Ingham County Health Department website every day to see how things are going in our fight against the Covid virus. In the last week, there has been a significant surge in cases. Sparrow and McLaren are filling up with Covid patients – most of them unvaccinated. The CDC said there would likely be another wave of infections but I had hoped things would turn out for the best. It is not going according to my plan. At this point, we are still planning to have an in-person Christmas Eve service, but I know things could change. It breaks my heart.

But then I remember the words of the prophet Isaiah: “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.” (Isaiah 9:2) I remember that people wait for centuries for the light God has promised. The light arrived in an unexpected form – and not according to plan. The light arrived in a time of deep darkness and shone all the more brightly because of it. Jesus Christ came without warning and without fanfare to be a source of hope, peace, joy and love.

This Advent and Christmas season may not unfold according to plan. We may feel as if we are alone in the darkness. But we will still rejoice…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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Be well. Be safe. Keep the faith. The Light is coming!