“The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.” (Jeremiah 33:14-15, NRSV)
Both Christians and Jews entered periods of expectation and commemoration this past Sunday. On the Christian calendar, Sunday marked the beginning of Advent; on the Jewish calendar, Hanukkah. Though markedly different holidays – Advent awaits the coming of Christ and Hanukkah celebrates Jewish victory over the Syrian Greeks – the two holidays share undertones of justice, liberation, and hope. Prophesying in a time of political instability and turmoil, the prophet Jeremiah points to these themes when he speaks to his fellow Israelites about the promise of the LORD that is to come. Yet, before liberation could be realized, the Israelites needed to continue in darkness – darkness that Jeremiah says humanity caused. Out of this darkness, however, came light as God fulfilled God’s promise that “Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety” (33:16). Both Advent and Hanukkah affirm the reality of periods of darkness; and in both Advent and Hanukkah, the introduction of light plays a pivotal role in observing the holidays. In Advent, Christians light a new candle weekly as Christmas draws nearer. In Hanukkah, Jews light a candle on the Menorah nightly to celebrate the restoration of the Temple. For both, great anticipation accompanies the lighting. This relationship between dark and light also reflects how we may find ourselves relating more to darkness – the awaiting of the justice and the righteousness – or to light – being in positions to execute the righteousness and the justice. If we are those who find ourselves grasping for hope this holiday season, may we remember the story of Israel. That they were delivered from exile, and able to live in safety, just as the LORD promised. If we are those who can facilitate justice and liberation, may we pray to God to “know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths” (Psalm 25:4). Ultimately, let us all consider how we offer hope to others in this season. |