We mark this coming Sunday, the third in Advent, with the lighting of the Joy candle. But when we think honestly about the current state and trajectory of our physical world, can we be entirely joyful? How do we hold both the reality of climate change and Advent joy?
A starting point might be to reflect for a moment on the notion of joy voiced by Henri Nouwen:
“Joy is not the same as happiness. We can be unhappy about many things, but joy can still be there because it comes from the knowledge of God’s love for us….”
Father Richard Rohr makes a similar point:
“… spiritual joy is something we participate in; it comes from elsewhere and flows through us. It has little or nothing to do with things going well in our own life….”
To these big ideas, we add two smaller thoughts of our own.
waiting + joy
for climate healing
First, we lament, we worry, not so much that climate change is happening at all—climate change has always happened—but that it is happening disproportionately, and in ways, in places, and at a pace fueled in part by human self-centeredness, indifference, denial and finally resignation. But because these are human behaviors, change is possible.
Secondly, to some extent anyway, creation is adaptable, resilient. Birds actually sing louder or softer depending on ambient noise levels. Ancient grains and biodiversity may help feed the world, should climate change threaten today’s mainstay food crop yields. And animals and crop-specific planting regions can migrate for viability; for example, some warm-weather wine grapes can now be grown farther north than in the past. Despite tidbits of good news like these, however, the bottom line remains the same: such adaptations cannot make climate change acceptable, or even bearable. They simply suggest that creation itself can act to “buy humans some time” to become better stewards. And anyway, all of this feels more like relief than joy…. How do we get to joy?
Maybe the answer rests in knowing that we have the chance to participate in environmental renewal; we get to be in solidarity with our natural world. Listen to Hildegard of Bingen: “Humankind, full of all creative possibilities, is God’s work. Humankind alone is called to assist God … to co-create. With nature’s help, humankind can set into creation all that is necessary and life-sustaining.” Now that is a big, joyous idea!
As we reflect on how to hold both joy and our concern for the environment in this season of waiting and preparing, here are a few final thoughts to consider: first, if you can, enjoy a good walk in nature, in your neighborhood or elsewhere (somewhere safe for you and others). Look and listen closely. Take a breath and take it all in. And as you walk …
Commit to continue—or begin—your own pro-environment campaign in 2021 (your first New Year’s resolution!). While our individual efforts won’t save the environment, our absence from the battle will only make matters worse and set a bad example for others. And collectively, we can make significant contributions.
Take a moment to start planning next year’s garden. Visualize the perfection of those flowers, tomatoes, lettuces … imagine the aroma of the basil and rosemary….
Reflect on the conclusion of the above observation from Henri Nouwen: “Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day. It is a choice based on the knowledge that we belong to God and have found in God our refuge and our safety and that nothing, not even death, can take God away from us.”
May you find joy in Advent, and Merry Christmas!