Lately, I have taken a liking to the music of Hank Williams. Not sure why. It’s not the kind of music I generally like. Perhaps I was influenced by Ken Burn’s excellent documentary on country music a few months ago. Hank Williams wrote about the times he lived in and the troubles he encountered. Many of his songs reflect hard times such as, I’m So Lonesome, I Could Cry, Cold, Cold Heart and Why Don’t You Love Me. Sometimes his songs speak of the hope he found through faith in Christ. I Saw The Light talks about wandering in the darkness…. Just like a blind man I wandered along… worries and fears I claimed for my own. Then like the blind man that God gave back his sight… praise the Lord I saw the light!
This song seems appropriate for these times in 2020. It seems as if we have been walking in darkness for so long. 2020 is about national and local elections that have divided our country… sometimes making enemies out of friends. We’ve endured a pandemic that has killed almost a quarter of a million Americans and changed our lives in countless ways. Most of us don’t shake hands or hug anymore for fear of catching the virus. The sports we love are too often canceled or postponed and most of us are not allowed to watch in person. For months, our economy was shut down and still has not completely recovered.
Perhaps that’s why I was so excited recently when I got to be a part of two events that reminded me of what it was like to walk in the light again. Kelly and I were able to attend a Pops concert by the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. It had been almost a year since we had seen the orchestra play. This night they featured the music of composer John Williams with the soundtracks from Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, and Superman. I love music and movies, so it was a great night. It reminded us of what life was like before everything changed.
The second event, very different, was getting to be a part of an infant baptism. We had not done an infant baptism in worship at the Downtown Campus for months and it was so special to have a family bringing this young child to be covered in the waters of baptism. All the symbolism of baptism, new life and new beginnings, helped to shine God’s light on us that day.
I do not know what Christmas will be like this year. I do know it will be different. But I can’t help but remember God sent Jesus to bring the Light in a time that was much darker than 2020.
The Light will still shine through the darkness this Advent season, and I will still light a candle and sing Joy to The World. The Christ Child will be born once again.
And I know when that happens, I’ll be hearing Hank Williams sing, No more darkness, no more night. Now I’m so happy, no sorrow in sight. Praise the Lord I saw the light.
Rev. Dave Poteet, Pastor of Congregational Care
