Midnight Christians
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5 NIV)
Christmas is harder on some of us, than others. While friends and neighbors are immersed in gifts, parties, and carols, some can only go through the motions, weighed down with loss.
Christmas, without a loved one.
A broken relationship.
A hurt that casts doubt over the future.
It can feel like God is missing. That might be what the prophet Jeremiah felt when lamentations spilled out of his pen, like tears.
Tonight, on the winter solstice, the year’s longest, darkest night, something is happening across the country that sheds light on the shadow side of Christmas. You probably won’t see it featured on the Today Show or listed among the “Twelve Days of Christmas.” It won’t make headlines or send crowds flocking to Walmart.
Because of the darkness within and without, Longest Night services are held. Here in Indiana, one will begin at 7 pm tonight at Grace United Methodist Church. You are welcome to come, sit in the semi-darkness and know that, at least for this hour, you do not grieve alone.
The prayer is that in recognizing and acknowledging the pain people feel, we might be strengthened by God and the faith of others when our own fails us. When I feel that way, it helps to see the word holy in holiday.
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth.
We all bear scars of the world’s brokenness. I use brokenness to paint a portrait of our estrangement from God and one another, the poet who authored “O Holy Night” used sin and error.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
It was written for a Christmas Eve service in 1847, at a church in Roquemaure, France by Placide Cappeau. Composer Adolphe Charles Adam quickly put the unforgettable melody on paper.
Titled Cantique de Noël, the French call it Minuit, Chrétiens.
Midnight Christians.
I heard it for the first time as a sleepy child in the balcony of my home church, St. Paul’s Methodist in State College, performed in a darkened sanctuary on the violin as the clock ushered in Christmas Day. It’s sheer beauty was like a lullaby, cradling baby Jesus, and me.
Those who carry the Holy Spirit within are Midnight Christians, called to shine like candles in the dark. The deeper the darkness, the brighter the flame.
As believers, we take turns illuminating the path for each other, because no one’s light is strong all the time (least of all, mine). Our combined radiance is enough to comfort the whole world, if only we would stand in unison for God’s goodness to prevail. We do that best, at Christmas. On that holy night sanctuaries everywhere will be aglow as our voices proclaim the Lord has come:
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new glorious morn;
Fall on your knees,
O hear the angels’ voices!
O night divine!
O night, when Christ was born.
Living with advanced cancer, this season is different for my family and me. More precious. More tender. I’m starting on a new medicine and once again ask for prayers for me, and all cancer warriors. Whatever burdens you carry this Christmas, I pray a flicker of hope burns in your soul.
We may not always see them, but Midnight Christians stand with us, lifting our tomorrows to God.
Christmas arrives when light is dim and hope seems out of reach. It’s not by accident it comes this week, as the planets and sun move in their appointed rounds, promising more light will ever so gradually grace our days.
All will be well.
(Photo by Tara Woodard-Lehman of Eli, 5, @ St. John’s in the City Presbyterian Church, Wellington, NZ, 2016.)
Texting Thru Recovery/Indiana Gazette. Contact jan at textingthrucancer@gmail.com
6 COMMENTS
You continue to be in my prayers Jan and God continues to be a sovereign God who sits on the throne. This was a beautiful entry
and I appreciate it.
I so appreciate the constancy of your love, prayers & support, Linda
Your writing is so inspirational!!! Praying for you!!!
Thank you, Cybil. I’m honored by your taking the time read my thoughts & comment on them!
Thank you Jan, I, myself, very much needed this right now! May the Lord lift you and your family up this Christmas!
Thanks so much. God knows our needs and uses our hands to be there for one another.
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