2024 Christmas Message | Songs in the Night

Before Christmas comes the winter solstice, December 21st, the shortest day (and longest night) of the year in the Northern hemisphere. At our recent gathering for retired rostered ministers and spouses, Pastor Clarence Harms reminded me that Advent and Christmas–like holiday practices centered on the solstice, are forward-facing. Our traditions are shaped by how dark it is outside, but also focused on how longer days are coming, soon. We remember Christ’s birth, but even more, we pray: Come, Lord Jesus.

“My Life Flows on in Endless Song” (ELW 763) is on my Advent and Christmas playlist this year, because of how it speaks to real pain and loss and also to God’s real presence–and our persistent, resurrection hope–in the midst of any difficult times we face. It’s been a favorite of mine since a friend shared how the third verse helped her through her husband’s deployment, especially these words: “What though the darkness gather ‘round/Songs in the night he giveth.”

Dark=bad, light=good dichotomies are always important to question. I think this hymn imagines darkness in a more nuanced way.  It’s hard for humans to see in the dark, and that makes “the darkness gathers ‘round” a powerful image of uncertainty, grief, anxiety, disorientation … things we might feel waking up in a dark, unfamiliar place. Darkness exists. And God is in the darkness with us, not taking the darkness away, but giving us something that steadies and grounds us and gives us courage in that darkness. God gives songs in the night.

When the angels appeared to the shepherds while they watched their flocks near Bethlehem, they shared a song in the night from God: a song of good news of great joy for all people. That song rings out through the night today: in Bethlehem, where our siblings in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land sing and share the good news of Jesus, and here in our synod, and all over the world. What a remarkable gift for God to give, not just in the past, but now and always: Immanuel, God-with-Us. Jesus, our song in the night.

However these days and nights find you, I pray for God to give you the song you need, and for Christ to be your song and encouragement. The synod staff, Vice President Nancy Schanke, the synod council and I are praying for all of you. Blessings on these final days of Advent and your preparations for Christmas.

Gratefully,

Bishop Anne Edison-Albright
East Central Synod of Wisconsin - ELCA

Anticipating the longest night (and longer days coming after it!), let’s pray*:  

God, give us good sleep tonight.

If we are wakeful, help us rest and give us your peace.

If we are restless, accompany us.

If we are called to work or help or keep watch,

Be our companion and guide.

God, thank you for these long nights; may it be dark enough to help us get the rest and sleep we need.

God, thank you for Jesus, who is dark and beautiful like the night.

When we feel lost and can’t find our way, give us songs in the night.

Thank you for the gift of longer days coming, soon.

Come, Lord Jesus.  

Amen.

*Adapted from a prayer written by Anne Edison-Albright for Families Celebrate Advent and Christmas, Augsburg Fortress, 2018