Defining Silence
In the fourth chapter of the book “Almost Christmas:A Wesleyan Advent Resource,” Matt Rawle notes that John Wesley’s writings on “The Character of a Methodist” begin by describing what a Methodist is not. Matt also notes that he prefers to end the season of Advent by emphasizing the theme of joy. He acknowledges that many traditions observe the theme of joy on the third Sunday of Advent when the gaudete (or pink) candle is lighted. Gaudete is a Latin word meaning rejoice. However, Matt shares several observations about the frequency of the word, joy, in the gospel of Mark, the silence that accompanies joy in the gospel of Luke, and the difficulty he personally experiences relating to the joy of the Advent season.
While the word, joy, appears more than nine times in the gospel of John and it appears more often in Luke than in any other gospel, it only appears once in the gospel of Mark. Some writers suggest that the infrequency of the word, joy, in the gospel of Mark is a result of its focus upon more action-oriented aspects of the ministry of Jesus. Interestingly, the word, peace, appears only 30 times across all of the gospels; the word, hope, only appears 10 times across all of the gospels. When the word, joy, is sparingly included in the gospel of Mark it refers to God’s Word as seed that is sown on rocky ground, some “hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away” (Mark 4:16-17). In other words, the joy is short-lived because it is not grounded or rooted and able to withstand turbulence, opposition or trial.
Rawle notes that the references to the word, joy, in the gospel of Luke reveals that joy is present even before Jesus is born. The angel informs Zechariah that he will have joy and gladness when he learns that his wife, Elizabeth, is pregnant (Luke 1:14). Nevertheless, because of Zechariah’s doubt about the proclamation of the angel, he loses his ability to talk after leaving the temple. Later, when Mary visits Elizabeth and Elizabeth hears her greeting, the baby leaps for joy in her womb (Luke 1:44). However, because I have been socialized to exhibit enormous restraint, I can only imagine disastrous consequences as a result of leaping for joy.
I can easily recall many times when my enthusiasm was discouraged because it may have been expressed at inopportune moments. Rather than expressing joy, exercising restraint was more highly valued. Emotional outbursts were eschewed. Instead, contemplative silence was the mark of control that was sometimes necessary. Even though silence can be difficult and the inability to speak can seem like a punishment, the silence that followed the angelic proclamations gave both Mary and Zechariah time to ponder the angels proclamations in their hearts.
In musical notation, the moments of silence are labeled rests. Young and/or inexperienced musicians are often easily impressed by long flurries of notes. When John Coltrane was in Miles Davis’ band, Miles would often complain about the length of Coltrane’a solos that were often described as sheets of sound because of the number of notes played rapidly in a series of phrases. Miles would later explain his approach to music as an attempt to learn what not to play—to allow both the music and the silence to convey the message.
Silence can be particularly powerful. The phrase “pregnant pause” is defined as “a pause that has a special meaning that's not immediately obvious but is still understood by those present.” Silence can signal many things. Silence can mean contentment, love and peace in many settings.
Ironically, silence can even mean peace on a battlefield. The song “Pipes of Peace” by Paul McCartney describes the famous Christmas Truce of World War I in 1914. There are many accounts of the unfolding events of that Christmas Day. Some report that a Christmas tree was placed on the edge of the trenches. In the video that accompanies the song, the German and French soldiers are seen cautiously emerging from trenches, carefully dismantling some of the barbed-wire and slowly walking through the muddy puddles of the war zone. As the soldiers shake hands and smiles are displayed, a football game begins, photographs are exchanged, and, according to some historical accounts, they even exchange haircuts! Other historical accounts note that before the soldiers began emerging from the safety of their foxholes and the strategic perches of their defensive positions, they heard the sounds of the soldiers on the other side of the war zone singing Silent Night. Even though the lyrics were sung in a foreign language, the tune revealed the universal emotion of peace. The singing could only be heard when the weapons of war were silenced. The silence declared the deepest longings for peace, for life, for liberty and for justice. These things make possible the feelings of joy that is the gift of God to the world.
Invite your neighbors, colleagues, family, friends, strangers and enemies to come to the worship services and the classes Sunday mornings and Christmas Eve at 5:00, 7:00 or 11:00. Encourage them to experience the live Nativity to facilitate a conversation around the circumstances of the birth of Christ. In spite of the harsh conditions of the stable and the manger, there is joy.
In Christ,
Jon McCoy
