An Act of Resistance

Author: Mark Fenstermacher
December 18, 2020

It was as she drove cross-country at night, through eastern Ohio, that Heidi Haverkamp fell in love with the idea of putting a light in the window as an act of resistance. She writes (Christian Century, 12-16-2020) that the tradition of putting a candle in the window is traced back to Mary and Joseph searching for a place to stay. The practice of putting a light in the window also may have some connection with the story of the magi from the east following a star on their long journey through foreign territory.

Referring to putting up the lights of the season, Heidi writes: "They are a bulwark against the gloom, whether it's the shorter days, the chaos of the news, or the loneliness of ongoing social distancing. This year, decorations felt like an act of resistance."

A clergy colleague of mine encouraged her congregation, from the pulpit, to put up all the Christmas lights they have. She exhorted them, as if she were a modern-day John the Baptist, to light their homes, put up their trees (even if no one is going to visit their homes), and push back against the darkness of this mean political season, the economic uncertainty, the isolation and the pandemic.

"Setting out lights this year," Heidi writes, "is proclaiming the power and love of Christ, which I am trying so hard to continue to put my trust in." The very act of decorating, of putting lights in the windows, is one way she has of "holding fast to the deep-down belief that God's love is stronger than evil, violence and death."

Hope is an action verb, she comments, and so she is also working to change policies to help the needy, feed the hungry, and protect the vulnerable.

If you want to see signs of our resistance to the darkness, to evil, to injustice and despair, swing by the church and see the tall tree standing inside the lobby of the School of Early Learning. Join us for worship online and look at the lighted trees standing behind the communion table and the lighted candles standing on either side of the Bible.

More than ever before, this December seems like the right time to put as many lights out as we can!

In Christ and for Christ,
Pastor Mark

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• Join us for worship this Sunday, Dec. 20th, as we look at the mysterious story of Gabriel's visit to young Mary. We'll talk about angels and how God connects with us in surprising ways. The service premiers at 8:30am on our website, Facebook, and YouTube (after that time you can watch/experience the service at any time which is convenient to you).
• Our longest night service begins streaming online at sundown (around 5:15pm) on Dec. 21st. You'll be able to join us anytime on our website, Facebook, and YouTube.
• Christmas Eve is a time for singing and great music, the lighting of candles, prayers, the reading of the nativity story, and a Christmas message. We'll be doing all of that this Christmas Eve as our online "virtual service" premiers on our website, Facebook, and YouTube at 10am on the 24th. When you are ready that day, join us for worship. (Here's an idea - invite a friend or family member to join you in worship that day/night!)
• Be mindful of—and reach out to—those around you who may be feeling isolated and overwhelmed this Christmas.  Make a phone call, send a card or leave a gift on their doorstep after ringing the doorbell to say (a socially distant!) "Hello."  Also, if you know someone is really stretched financially, look for ways you might be able help out with a gift card or a card with cash. 
• We're in contact with the Township Trustee about ways we might help some families avoid being evicted. We are confident you would want to help, and so we'll be announcing a brief Christmas offering to help people stay in their homes. Watch for more details and pray about what you might do!

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