A Silence that Speaks
By Rev. Dr. Carla A. Romarate-Knipel
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.”
– John 1:1, 14 (NRSV)
“The Word of God is born out of the eternal silence of God and it is to this Word out of silence that we want to be witnesses.”
– Henri Nouwen, The Way of the Heart: Desert Spirituality and Contemporary Ministry, 48
How do you welcome the New Year? In the country of my birth, we do it with much noise. In most of the inhabited islands of the Philippine archipelago, one could hear a cacophony of firecrackers, bamboo cannons and the occasional firing of semi-automatic weapons. The first quiet New Year I celebrated was in 1998, in Houston, Texas.
Yes, there were a few banging of pots and pans, but it was nothing compared to what I had experienced growing up. For someone used to a more noisy celebration, I felt a bit homesick, but gradually I became more appreciative of the silent, prayerful and reflective way of starting another year. For someone who loved words, sounds and talking, I was surprised that I felt drawn to silence. In this silence, I found another way of being with God and people. In the words of Henri Nouwen, I began to learn how to be a “witness to the Word of God who is born out of the eternal silence of God.”
Thinking about the Christmas story, I have wondered why God chose the shepherds and the Magi be the first witnesses and visitors of the Christ child. Perhaps it was because their lives and work called for very few words: the shepherds quietly watching and tending their sheep; and the Magi silently observing and studying the stars.
The shepherds may have not expected anything special before the heavenly host surprised them with a glorious angelic chorus announcing Jesus’ birth. Nor did the Magi anticipate that among the many stars they quietly observed, one star would stand out as a sign of the birth of a King. But the shepherds and the Magi were quiet enough to pay attention to God’s message and direction.
It is important to note that out of that silence, God spoke and when they heard this great news, they left their workplaces to search for the child and when they found him, they rejoiced and worshipped him. Then they went back to work, but no longer the same people. Their times of silence with and listening to God had not only saved them but transformed them into witnesses sharing their story to people along the way.
There’s so much noise going on in the world as well as in our heads. The constant barrage of information and the fear of missing out present a challenge to anyone who longs to be in silence long enough to hear God. My deep desire and fervent prayer for each one of us and our church family is that at the beginning of this new year, in the midst of winter and the special space of silence of this season, we will have the patience and diligence of the shepherds and the Magi and make time to be quietly attentive to God in our prayers, our study of the Bible and in our daily work as well and service to others.
Out of this silence may we hear God speak to us and give us discernment as we read and reflect on the future ministry task force report and engage in listening to each other with mutual love and respect. Like the shepherds and the Magi may we be open to God’s direction for us and choose to be steadfast in faith as we do God’s work together this New Year and in the years to come.
A Blessed Epiphany and Happy New Year to You All!
Yours In Christ’s Peace and Love,
Pastor Carla
