“My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near and the world is about to turn.”
From the chorus of Canticle of the Turning by Rory Cooney
We have sung this hymn twice in worship. Not only is the melody catchy and easy to pick-up, but the words have the power to hold us like a needed hug. Each verse begins within a context of uncertainty and great challenge. Verse 1: “My soul cries out…” Verse 2: “Though I am small…” Verse 3: “Though the nations rage from age to age…” When we sing these words, we too have an opportunity to think about the challenges we face. Is it our longing for a loved one who has recently passed away or has been gone for a long time but we still miss them dearly? Are we discouraged by news of war, inequality, and violence in the world? Is there a part of us that feels off or discontent with life?
Recently someone asked me if I am one of those pastors that selects Christmas music in Advent. While I’m never one to make hard unbreakable rules for all situations, I responded that I prefer to stick to Advent music. For me, Advent is about waiting. It is about anticipation, and the excitement that God is just on the verge of showing up. No matter where our journey has taken us, God is waiting around the next corner. This is a needed and resilient message of hope. Even in the most challenging of situations, in the face of egregious acts of injustice, when all hope seems naive, we stumble open the nativity. A child born in a humble stable, who will be God with us. Through this child, God will heal an unsuspecting blind man sitting outside the temple, build community with foreign women, forgives a criminal that hangs next to him on the cross.
For now, the blind man is waiting, the women are going about their day, and the man has committed no crime but simply making his way in the world. We continue to live our lives and take each moment as they come, but in Advent we hold fast that just around the corner is the God of hope, peace, joy, and love.
“My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near and the world is about to turn.”
Like a hug that reminds us that all shall be well, remember the world is about to turn. Take heart, God will soon show up. God always does. Are you ready?
