The story of the birth of Jesus takes place in Bethlehem. I visited Bethlehem a few years back – just before lockdown – I’ve spoken to you before about it – and saw a city that held a deep spiritual attraction for thousands, perhaps millions, but was also a town on the border between Israel and the Palestinian Occupied Territories. A sense of unease on the streets, at the checkpoints, in the strangely empty areas.
This year, following the horrendous attack on Israeli by Hamas on 7 October we have seen an escalating story of horror and death in the Holy Land as Israel has unleashed its powerful military forces in pursuit of the killers.
Nearly 20,000 have been killed since 7 October, the majority innocent Palestinians in Gaza, including over 7,000 children. The violence and bloodshed is too tragic to comprehend.
The three Abrahamic faiths – Judaism, Christianity and Islam – all three have a focus in the Holy Land, all three hold reverence for the land and for the city of Jerusalem. Yet the darkness of war continues to cast a shadow over the Holy Land.
This is the state of our world, but this too is the starting point, as our annual cycle allows, the starting point for us all to look again at how we live our lives, at how we bring love to the world, or how our light might help rid the shadows of darkness.
In this cold December, this time of darkness, when day gives way to night so much earlier, it is our hope, and our promise, that might be seen as the slim rays of light.
As I said in my opening remarks, it is no coincidence that this festival of light, this birth of light into the wIorld is celebrated at this time of the year. Jesus himself would have celebrated the Jewish festival of Hannukah each year around this time – this year, 2023, Hannukah began last Thursday, 07 December, and finishes next Thursday.
From this festival we have taken the symbols of the candles. In a Jewish home, or the synagogue, these would be the menorah candles. But here, we simply line them up.
I feel I need to make the point here that, unlike President Macron in the Elysee, we have no restrictions on how we might respond to religious festivals.
I feel the need to say that we are not lighting a Menora, and we are not claiming to hold a Hanukkah Service – we are not Jewish and we are not claiming to understand the deeper cultural connection that Hannukah brings
However, as Unitarians and as Unitarian Universalists, we learn from other faiths, and I invite you on a journey of the lights today, to see how we might understand our own connections to the themes they raise.
Let me take you on the journey of the lights.
[VOLUNTEERS TO LIGHT THE CANDLES]
[CANDLE OF JOY]
The first candle symbolizes the light of joy, the fact of happiness that can come with sudden sweetness into our lives and destroy the gloom that has surrounded us. This year has been a mix of emotions for many, yet I hope each of us have had moments of joy too. A smile from a loved one, a memory of sweet friendship. Perhaps just seeing your favoured team win a game. A moment of joy.
[CANDLE OF TRUTH]
The second candle symbolizes the light of truth, the fact that it is possible for us to know the ways and workings of the world. And to reflect on it. The truths we’ve learned this year have been hard. With war raging in Ukraine, in Israel, in Palestine and elsewhere. With the never ending squeeze on the costs of living and our ability to pay them. The ways of the world can be tough.
[CANDLE OF MORALITY]
The third candle symbolizes the light of morality, the light that reminds us of the wrongs and rights that we know and can follow. This is always a special candle at this time. It is a reminder of the need to look more deeply at the way we respond to the truths in the world – how we learn to bring light to the darkness, rather than creating our own shadows.
[CANDLE OF COURAGE]
The fourth candle symbolizes the light of courage, the fact that there are times in life when a special strength is needed to persevere in the face of overwhelming odds.
[CANDLE OF FREEDOM]
The fifth candle symbolizes the light of freedom, that blazing passion within the breasts of men and women throughout the ages. Freedom is not an easy thing, and is something many can only hope for. We must cherish our freedoms and strive for others to have theirs. The freedoms of those suffering in Gaza right now, the freedoms of all in Israel. In Ukraine. In Ethiopia and in all places where war holds sway.
[CANDLE OF FAITH]
The sixth candle symbolizes the light of faith. That eternal sense of trust that enables us to move forward in our lives, to give us the strength to carry on in times of woe and sadness.
[CANDLE OF HOPE]
Now, I shall light a seventh candle. A candle to symbolize the light of hope, the bright beacon that continues to shine in the darkness.
[CANDLE OF LOVE]
And our eighth candle symbolizes the light of love. Without love our lives become worthless and futile. Only as we are able to love and to be loved can we find the deepest meaning of human life.
But there is also a ninth candle. This is a candle that is traditionally lit at the end of the festival of Hanukkah. It is a light to guide us on, after the celebrations are over. A light to remind us to take the wonder and joy of these winter celebrations into our daily lives over the coming year.
Although not at the end of Hanukkah, it is appropriate for us today to light that candle. As a guide to our way ahead.
For me, this is a light that can best be lit for us by a child, as the light of the Way that Jesus taught is brought to us in the story of his birth. Could I ask therefore for two children to come forward and help me light this final candle for us all.
[LIGHT CANDLE]
STILLNESS
All our festivals at this time are built upon the ancient festivals of light from many traditions and the haunting dark beauty of nature at this time.This has always been a time for reflection on the darker things – those things in our own lives and within the wider world that upset us. Those things that we know are not good. Things and events we wish would not happen.
The continuing sad battle between peoples of different faiths, nationalities, is a telling scene repeated the world over in different ways. In particular at present, the heartbreaking violence and bloodshed that is tearing through Israel and Palestine – the Holy Land from which so many of our December stories come.
And the fighting continues elsewhere. In many other countries, including of course Ukraine and Ethiopia.
But, closer to home, we remember too all those we know and love who are in pain or suffering at this time.
Yet the festivals we celebrate now might remind us that, in the midst of this darkness, a tiny slant of light is set to appear.
For the followers of ancient religions, this was the Sun. For the Jews, as we heard, this time of Hanukkah remembered the opening of the Second Temple some 200 year before Jesus was born. For Christians, and many others now, it is Christmas – a time of celebration as a possible path away from darkness and wrongdoing is found. Indeed, this path is laid in the most humble of places, a stable, and is revered by the lowly shepherds and the highest kings.
I have very little doubt the Christmas story is not entirely accurate. But that does not matter. It is a regular reminder of the need to tune our minds and our bodies to the seasons – and to welcome the coming of the light. The light of hope. Into our hearts once more.
Even the great atheist humanist existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre found wonder and beauty and truth in the Christmas Story. There is a great human truth in these festivals, touching something far deeper inside.
With our candles for a Holy Land lit, I ask us to come together in stillness and silence.
Relaxing our bodies, perhaps closing our eyes, focusing on our breath. Our stillness will be broken by music, to continue our reflection.
Relaxing our bodies. In the midst of these candles for Peace. Candles for a Holy Land.
You are welcome here, give your love, boldly.
Into stillness.