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In the Bleak Midwinter

Dec 17, 2014 — Categories:

My favorite hymn of the season is “In the Bleak Midwinter” written by the English poet Christina Rossetti in 1872. It begins by describing the environs that we in the northern hemisphere experience in December: “In the bleak mid-winter Frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, Water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, Snow on snow, In the bleak mid-winter Long ago.”

My favorite hymn of the season is “In the Bleak Midwinter” written by the English poet Christina Rossetti in 1872. It begins by describing the environs that we in the northern hemisphere experience in December:

“In the bleak mid-winter

Frosty wind made moan,

Earth stood hard as iron,

Water like a stone;

Snow had fallen, snow on snow,

Snow on snow,

In the bleak mid-winter

Long ago.”

Not so long ago. Today, actually. Cold, damp, and dark so early. This is why, in the northern hemisphere, we hang Christmas lights indoors and out, we light Hanukkah candles, and we long for the winter solstice when the earth turns back to the sun.

This year, especially, it feels like a season of grief and loss, of fear and anger. The shadows seems heavier, as we face the emotional, physical and moral darkness of this mid-winter.  Domestic violence doesn’t take a holiday. Police violence doesn’t take a holiday. Torture doesn’t take a holiday.

Winter holidays are especially weighted in terms of expectations and idealization. Some survivors of child abuse are faced with the choice of participating in family gatherings devoid of truth-telling, or spending the holidays alone.  Some battered women stay in abusive homes, maintaining the “happy family” façade for the sake of their children.

Many of us have the privilege of not having to face these terrors on a daily basis. When we are confronted by the reality that is far, far from our ideals or image of what our community, our country, our humanity should be, there is grief, denial and pain. For those who suffer daily, there is also justified anger which is only exacerbated by the majority’s unwillingness to see what is so obvious to victims.

We are tempted to turn away, to pass by, to be passive bystanders. But any of these actions or inactions means we let the darkness win and I am just not ready to give up yet.

So in the midst of the darkness of the bleak midwinter, we still light the lights and candles because we believe that light will overcome darkness and show us the path of justice and love in our families and with our neighbors. It is a small action of hope, a first step in seeing how we go forward.

 

Remember:   if you need to talk to someone, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) doesn’t take a holiday either. They will be there for you, a small, bright light ready to help.


Rev. Dr. Marie M. Fortune
www.FaithTrustInstitute.org
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Rev. Dr. Marie M. Fortune
www.FaithTrustInstitute.org
Subscribe to my blog

 

We welcome your comments. Please note that your comments will not be visible until they are approved by the moderator.

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