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On anti-Blackness in Advent, a lil THREAD:
1. In Genesis and John the darkness preempts the light of life - both belong to God and are created by God.
2. John 1 is much more about light and darkness co-existing than laziness might lead us to assume. Read again. Be creative.
1. In Genesis and John the darkness preempts the light of life - both belong to God and are created by God.
2. John 1 is much more about light and darkness co-existing than laziness might lead us to assume. Read again. Be creative.
Think about the images you use of Jesus, Mary and Joseph...remember Christianity is an eastern faith - if darkness is associated simply with evil and the Holy Family all look Scandinavian, you need to do more work. 
The usual themes of Advent:
- Hope
- Peace
- Love
- Joy
Each and all are good opportunities to think about issues of justice, righteousness and equality. Maybe be bold and even talk race? Remember Advent, like Lent, is actually a penitential season: get deep and real or go home.
- Hope
- Peace
- Love
- Joy
Each and all are good opportunities to think about issues of justice, righteousness and equality. Maybe be bold and even talk race? Remember Advent, like Lent, is actually a penitential season: get deep and real or go home.
Read this sermon by The Revd Prof Wil Gafney @WilGafney before you preach this Advent: http://www.wilgafney.com/2019/12/01/holy-blackness-the-matrix-of-creation/
Watch it here:
Watch it here:
If you’re super serious about all this, then read this too: https://btpbase.org/consequence-of-language-resisting-the-linguistic-assault-on-darkness/
Choose your collects well - in Common Worship for example maybe for Advent I, go with the first collect. In Advent IV/Christmas Night go with the first collect...
Think deeply about the power of liturgical language. Ask ‘why’ *this* particular wording...what is suggested?!
Think deeply about the power of liturgical language. Ask ‘why’ *this* particular wording...what is suggested?!
Think about what you’re saying liturgically and in any homily that might demonise darkness, and render that which is light or white as holy and pure.
Beyond the separation of light/dark in Genesis, maybe the darkness in Genesis is not called ‘good’ because its goodness just was?
Beyond the separation of light/dark in Genesis, maybe the darkness in Genesis is not called ‘good’ because its goodness just was?
Even on a basic level these are the kinds of questions preaching could engage with. In *this* particular year simple light/dark theological binaries need interrogating - open this up for the faithful in new ways.
“If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you.”
- Psalm 139:11-12
- Psalm 139:11-12
