Even though it happens every year, I cannot get used to it. Just when the day begins, the day seems to be over. I don’t know if it’s more correct to say that less light fills the day, or that the darkness seems to be growing. I guess it depends on your perspective. When the light is growing dim, the candles of Peace, Hope, Love, and Joy can be difficult to see.
The people of Ferguson are angry. Some are angry because of the reoccurring narrative that black lives don’t seem to matter. Others are angry because their business is in ruins. Some are angry because of years of racism and suspicion. Others are angry because they feel not enough force is being used to quench the violence. A reporter asked a woman on the street, “Do you think it’s ok to loot stores?” The woman replied, “Don’t tell me how I’m supposed to be oppressed.”
It’s bold and presumptuous for me to offer comment on what the people of Ferguson should do, but I can offer some guidance for my friends here. First, with the Christmas season right around the corner I am reminded that Christ was born in the midst of a dark world. Moreover, Christ’s birth motivated the powers and principalities to unspeakable violence. The Gospel of Matthew records that upon hearing the news that a new king was born Herod gave orders that all male children under two years of age were to be killed. The words of Brooks’ hymn, “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” seem chilling:
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie. Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by. Yet, in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.”
The line between hope and fear is so thin that I’m not sure what one is without the other. It may sound strange, but my prayer today is for a world with no need for hope because it would be a world in which fear is no longer in charge.
The second thing I would offer is for us to assume the role of compassionate listener. I’m not sure how effective more words will be, especially from folks on the outside looking in. I do know that a revolution doesn’t begin with the person standing on the chair speaking truth to power; a revolution begins with the first listener. Listening with patience and compassion is a spiritual discipline that offers peace and understanding as its fruit. The first candle of Advent is the candle of Peace, and it is difficult to find when our ears are deaf to each other’s needs. “Let anyone with ears, listen,” Jesus said almost more than any other phrase. So no matter your perspective, whether you feel there’s less light in the day or the darkness is growing let us be quick to listen and slow to speak so that the candle of Peace might lead us into Hope.