At first glance, this reading left me scratching my head. His father…whose father? Why does this text really appear to be from the Old Testament? Who is the author talking about? Mighty Savior implies Jesus. Child in the wilderness seems to be John the Baptist. Answers! Zechariah is the father of John the Baptist to whom Elizabeth has just given birth. Zechariah’s response to his son’s birth is this prophecy (verses 67-80). The prophecy is really a uniting the Old Testament: the legacy of Abraham and David and the New Testament. With the birth of Jesus, the “coming of a mighty Savior” is about to be fulfilled.
Well, this introduction is given as background. “A bonus”, to quote Father Rich. Now to my meditation.
As a variation of the African Bible Study process, I looked for a word/phrase that caught my attention. The phrase came to me in flashing, day glow Neon: By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
I did sit in darkness, the many times I experienced episodes of deep depression. In my darkest days, it was only the light of God, shining ever so dimly to me, that gave me the tiniest hope of my next breath.
The word darkness also brought to mind, the book Darkness Visible, William Styron’s memoir of depression. The title comes from John Milton’s description of hell: No light; but rather darkness visible, Served only to discover sights of woe, Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace And rest can never dwell.
What’s the take away? For those who sit in darkness, the dawn from on high will break upon us. Lightness will be very visible- for unto us a child is given, unto us a Savior is born.
Additional Advent bonus! I would invite anyone who might like to share thoughts or concerns about depression to contact me. I offer this as a chance to bring your wellness journey in to the light of shared confidentiality.
(Gail Bourque)
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