Neither the Advent period nor Christmas itself are renowned for their silence. Shops are heaving with customers; streets are packed with pedestrians; traffic jams abound. The stress levels of many people rise dramatically at this time of year.
But Advent means taking time out from the bustle and busyness to pause before God: “The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before… .What is possible is to not see it, to miss it, to turn just as it brushes past you. And you begin to grasp what it was you missed, like Moses in the cleft of the rock, watching God’s back fade in the distance. So stay. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. Wait. Behold. Wonder. There will be time enough for running. For rushing. For worrying. For pushing. For now, stay. Wait. Something is on the horizon.” (Jan L. Richardson)
Today’s music reflects this stillness, since both are instrumentals. ‘Keep Silent’ is from Aaron Shust’s new Christmas album and this gentle piece captures the essence of peace. Phil Keaggy’s ‘Coventry Carol‘ is an instrumental version of this famous carol, a lullaby to Jesus. Both are brief, so take five minutes out from today’s busy schedule to listen and to stay… sit…linger… tarry…ponder… wait…behold…wonder.
Like Job, there are times indeed when we should simply keep silent. (Job 40:4, see also Eccl 3:7)