The Season of Miracles
We are in the heart of the season of miracles. What a fortuitous coincidence that Christmas and Chanukah overlap this year, as in these, the darkest days of 2016, we could sure use a double-dose of the miraculous.
When it comes to “peace on earth, goodwill to all”, it is particularly challenging to find hope for the world this year. Even in many of the spiritual circles I turn to for guidance and inspiration, faith is coming up either empty-handed, or with fists of fool’s gold. I recently stormed out of one spiritual retreat when the leaders spoke of acceptance in apocalyptic terms: “We are in the throes of the Sixth Extinction. The world as we know it will end. There are a remnant who may survive, but all we can do now is be kind to one another while it all falls apart.”
On the other hand, there are those utilizing spiritual language to protect themselves from the seriousness of the challenges we face. Some are keeping their spirits up by turning the other cheek when they should be overturning tables; others are keeping an open mind about points of view that would usually be abhorrent to them, all in the name of understanding and compassion but risking the normalization of evil.
For those of us awake enough to be troubled, we know the cards are stacked against us. So doesn’t it make sense to give up on hope?
Then I remembered miracles. By their very nature, miracles are unexpected and irrational. Miracles are not about accepting reality as it is—or even simply hoping that the status quo will work out better than expected. Miracles are about radical disruptions of business as usual. A virgin gives birth. God speaks to us from a burning bush. Miracles are not the work of man, but of a power greater than ourselves. Yes, we still need to find the courage to change what we can, but we come to know that we are not acting alone. To believe that miracles are possible—beyond our control, understanding and expectations—requires a leap of faith. And taking a leap of faith entails risk. This is not feel good spirituality, meant for happier times. This is grit your teeth, what do you really believe is the deepest truth about life stuff.
In his classic “Varieties of Religious Experience”, philosopher William James speaks of a novice who, climbing a mountain for the first time in the Alps, finds himself in a situation in which the only escape is a terrifying leap across an abyss larger than he has ever managed in the past. He can give up hope, or he can take a leap of faith. Which attitude gives him the better chance of surviving? Writes James: “Believe, and you shall be right, for you shall save yourself; doubt, and you shall be right, for you shall perish. The only advantage is that to believe is greatly to your advantage.”
To be both awake and hopeful: this is the challenge. To find the courage to change what we can and believe that God can act, even when we cannot: this is the call.
To take miracles seriously: this is my holiday wish for you.
–Carol Orsborn
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