Sunday, December 22, 2024
Romans 8:38-39
"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Dave Brubeck's Christmas carol, "God's Love Made Visible!” is one of my favorite songs in the entire Chalice Hymnal! But it is not everyone's favorite by far, partly because it is the only song in the Chalice Hymnal in 5/4 time. For you non-musicians, that means that there are five beats per measure instead of the traditional four. This makes it harder to sing for casual singers.
(Note: If you don't know the carol, do a simple online search and listen to a version or two on YouTube while you read this. There are many video versions available.)
Dave Brubeck was a renowned jazz musician and composer who toured the world with his jazz combos and performed with symphony orchestras in major cities on every continent. Later in his career he began composing and performing sacred music. God's Love Made Visible comes from a Christmas Cantata he wrote in 1975 titled, "La Fiesta de la Posada,” and based on a Christmas festival enacted annually in towns across Latin America. As the procession of villagers winds through the streets singing litanies, they knock at various doors along the route. Each time they are turned away with the cruel words, "There is no room,” until the procession arrives at the appointed home or church. Then, the doors are flung wide in the open spirit of Christmas and the celebration, with Mary as its central figure, begins.
Brubeck's wife, Lola, wrote the text for the cantata, and based it in part on Romans 8:38-39. The often repeated phrase in "God's Love Made Visible”, "His love shall reign!” reflects the truth of Paul's words from Romans: "Nothing shall ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” She wrote: "From love so bountiful, blessings uncountable make death surmountable! His love shall reign!”
This is a message of which we must be constantly reminded in our lives, and particularly during the Advent/Christmas season. Regardless of who wins elections, His love shall reign! Regardless of the details of reports from our doctors, His love shall reign! Regardless of wars and rumors of wars, regardless of family conflicts, regardless of the strength or weakness of our personal faith, regardless of how many life and death situations we face, His love shall reign!
Of course, we still share responsibility for the reign of Christ, because we are his hands and feet in the world. We are the body of Christ. We are Christ's light made visible in our church, our town, our world, today. "God's Love Made Visible” ends with these words: "Live in a loving way! Praise him for every day! Open your hearts and pray. His love shall reign! His star will always be guiding humanity throughout eternity! His love shall reign!
God's love made visible in Jesus Christ is a miracle! May that love be visible in our lives this Christmas season, working its miracle again and again.
Rev. Roger McKinney
Kent, Ohio