Episode 5: It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
O Come O Come Emmanuel: 2024 Advent Devotional
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The Christmas season brings us to moments of reflection—on God’s sovereignty, the trials of life, and His ultimate plan of redemption. One particular Christmas carol, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, with its poignant lyrics, invites us to consider the themes of suffering and waiting. Coupled with the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel, these reflections provide a profound look at God’s faithfulness and grace.
The Theme of Waiting in Scripture
Waiting is a common thread woven throughout the Bible, with stories of individuals and communities longing for God’s provision and deliverance. One such story is that of Hannah, introduced in 1 Samuel 1. Like many women in Scripture, Hannah faced the deep grief and societal rejection associated with barrenness. Her story echoes the narratives of Sarah, Rachel, and others, highlighting both the pain of waiting and the sovereign grace of God in bringing life and fulfillment.
Hannah’s rival, Peninnah, taunted her mercilessly, magnifying her suffering. Yet, Hannah turned her anguish into prayer, crying out to God with a vow: if He would grant her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord. Her prayer, deeply personal and faithful, reminds us that God’s timing is perfect and His provision is intentional.
Eucatastrophe: From Darkness to Light
In his works, J.R.R. Tolkien coined the term “eucatastrophe,” describing moments when overwhelming darkness is suddenly pierced by light and hope. This concept mirrors the overarching biblical narrative. Humanity’s fallen state, marked by sin and suffering, is interrupted by God’s redemptive plan through Christ. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear captures this reversal:
"Yet with the woes of sin and strife, the world has suffered long; beneath the angel’s strain have rolled two thousand years of wrong."
These words acknowledge the weight of sin while pointing to the hope brought by Christ’s arrival. The carol’s lesser-sung verses reflect on toil and suffering but also offer solace:
"Look now, for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing; rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing."
Hannah’s story encapsulates this eucatastrophe. From barrenness and despair, she experiences the joy of God’s provision in Samuel’s birth. True to her promise, she dedicates him to God, exemplifying faithfulness even after long periods of waiting.
Hannah’s Faithfulness and Mary’s Magnificat
Hannah’s response to God’s blessing is one of worship and gratitude. Her prayer in 1 Samuel 2 reflects her understanding of God’s sovereignty:
"The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and He exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; He lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes."
Hannah’s prayer resonates centuries later in Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). Mary, chosen to bear the Messiah, echoes themes of humility, exaltation, and God’s faithfulness:
"He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty."
Both women’s prayers highlight God’s unwavering commitment to the humble and lowly, underscoring His power to reverse circumstances and fulfill His promises.
The Ultimate Reversal: Christ’s Life and Death
Hannah’s act of dedicating Samuel to the Lord prefigures Mary’s ultimate sacrifice of watching her Son, Jesus, fulfill His mission. Mary’s journey leads to the foot of the cross, where she witnesses the culmination of God’s plan for humanity. Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection embody the ultimate eucatastrophe—a moment when darkness and despair give way to redemption and hope for all.
At the cross, Jesus addresses Mary, entrusting her to the care of His disciple John. This intimate moment reminds us of the human relationships embedded in the divine narrative. Mary’s grief, like Hannah’s earlier anguish, finds resolution in God’s greater plan of salvation.
Rest in the Promise
As we reflect on It Came Upon a Midnight Clear this season, let us not overlook its deeper themes. Beneath the surface of a familiar melody lies a call to rest in God’s promises, even amidst life’s toil and strife. Like Hannah and Mary, we are invited to trust in God’s sovereignty, find hope in His timing, and rejoice in the redemption brought through Christ.
This Christmas, may we rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing of a Savior who turns sorrow into joy, waiting into fulfillment, and darkness into glorious light.
