Many of the old Christmas carols, underneath their sweetness and beauty, reflect a theme of weariness, the desperation of many of the world’s peoples, suffering through another year of violence and deprivation. Poverty, war, racism, disease, and environmental degradation all combine to threaten the celebrations all around us.

Yet, also in the old carols, alongside the acknowledgment of the pain, is the persistent message of hope. Consider a portion of the text of “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear:”

“Still through the cloven skies they come, with peaceful wings unfurled, and still their heavenly music floats o’er all the weary world; above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hovering wing, and ever o’er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing.”

In the midst of the challenges in his time (as well as now) of racism, the philosopher and theologian Howard Thurman continued to write his own profound and hopeful words. He is recalling the Magnificat of Mary (Luke 1:39-56) when he writes in his beautiful book, The Moods of Christmas:

I Will Sing a New Song

The old song of my spirit has wearied itself out.

It has long ago been learned by heart;

It repeats itself over and over,

Bringing no added joy to my days or lift to my spirit.

I will sing a new song.

I must learn the new song for the new needs.

I must fashion new words born of all the new growth

of my life– of my mind– of my spirit.

I must prepare for new melodies that have

never been mine before,

That all that is within me may lift my voice unto God.

Therefore, I shall rejoice with each new day

And delight my spirit in each fresh unfolding.

I will sing, this day, a new song unto the Lord.

 

This year, every year, may the beauty of this Advent season inspire us to offer our own lives in justice and love, and to give the gift of Hope this Christmas.

O come, O come, O Adonai, who
came to all on Sinai high, And from its peak a
single law proclaimed in majesty and awe.