Trans Siberian Orchestra’s “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24” tells the story of a Sarajevo-born cellist (Vedran Smailovic) who returns to his homeland to find it in ruins from the Bosnian war. It must have broken his heart knowing that the destruction was caused by his own people. At that time, the Serbs were shelling Sarajevo nightly. Rather than heading for the shelters with his family, this man went to the town square with his cello, climbed onto a pile of rubble that had once been the fountain and played Mozart and Beethoven as the city was bombed. Inspired by this act, Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 offers a powerful image of hope and resilience amid violence and chaos.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.
Throughout the history of the world, there has been a need for moments of hope and resilience amid violence and chaos. The Israelites experienced slavery in Egypt and wandered the desert for 40 years seeking freedom. They experienced violence and exile from their homes. They experienced occupation by foreign powers. They lived tumultuous lives.
Through the Prophet Isaiah, God proclaimed that darkness would not last forever. God promised that there would be light that would break through the darkness offering hope and possibility. The Jewish people trusted those promises and waited, expectantly for the coming of the Messiah, the descendant of David who would bring new life to the world.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.
Millennia later, our world still experiences darkness. War still breaks hearts as it destroys homes and families. Environmental destruction undermines our relationship to creation leaving species and people vulnerable. Prejudice, inequality, violence, and ignorance cause some to be marginalised and unable to fully share their gifts with the community. There is darkness all around us and yet the promises of God prevail.
There is darkness all around us and yet the promises of God prevail. As voices share their stories, we are discovering that there can be wisdom in the darkness, that we can learn from the mistakes that harm and marginalise. We are learning that human beings have a choice. We are learning that we can do better, we can be better. For those who embrace this knowledge, the darkness of our world is not the darkness of the tomb, but the darkness of the womb: it is an opportunity to envision a world that is different, a world where people actively seek to embody the story of Christmas not only at this time of year but every day.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.
Christ is born in us today! The praises we sing should happen not solely tonight. We are challenged to live that praise all the time. This is what we were doing when we worked together to help a family this Christmas. This is what we do when we continually seek ways to be inclusive and affirming, providing spaces and opportunities for those who have been marginalised by people of faith, to know a different story. This is what we do when we provide clothing for individuals and families in need. This is what we do when we seek to create community that extends beyond those who gather for worship on Sunday.
Christ is born in us today! The light shines in the darkness. The invitation of Christmas invites us to participate in bold and courageous ways that proclaim hope and resilience to a hurting world. The wonder and grace of this community, this small congregation with a BIG heart, is that Christmas doesn’t merely happen for one day, or even 12 days a year. The story of Christmas is something we seek to live every day because Christ is born in us over and over and over again. The darkness of the world is the darkness of the womb calling us to be born again, to be born anew with the light of Christ as our guide, our hope, and our sign of resilience.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.
As we once again embrace the hope and resilience of this joyful night, let us trust God’s presence, calling us to new life, shining a light in our hearts and transforming our gifts in ways that are more than we can ask or imagine. This we pray as we listen to “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24”.