Let the Season Play On
From The Pastor’s Desk—
At the end of 2023, Shane MacGowan passed away. He was the frontman and creative influence of the Irish band The Pogues, which blended together traditional celtic folk elements with punk and rock influences. They are perhaps best known for their dark horse Christmas favorite “Fairytale of New York”. The song began as a wager between MacGowan and fellow musician Elvis Costello, that the band couldn’t write a Christmas song devoid of the schmaltz and sentimentality that characterize so much of the genre. The result certainly won the bet: it's a beautiful tune, yet the lyrics tell of regret, squandered opportunity, while still holding on to a dogged hope.
During MacGowan’s funeral in the Cork Cathedral, the song was performed by his remaining bandmates, and a veritable who’s who of Irish musicians. As his body lay in state in a casket woven of willow switches (a tradition that emphasizes native materials, sustainability, historic weaving practices, and return to the earth), joyful music filled the cathedral, and people danced. Not exactly what we expect when we consider a funeral service, is it?
We have come through the weeks of waiting that mark the Advent season. We have gathered with great joy on Christmas Eve, and celebrated with family and friends. We will soon mark Epiphany, the celebration of the arrival of the magi and their presentation of gifts, and bring our celebration of this season to a close. The question remains for each one of us: what of this sacred season will we carry forward into the new year? Will we continue to count our weeks by the metrics of hope, peace, joy, and love? Or will the routine of the new calendar draw us back into our everyday ways of life?
Consider, once again, MacGowan’s funeral. The day could have been given over to mourning, to grief, to loss. Instead, his friends and family chose to honor what was best about his life and work, to sing and dance, and live into the legacy of the man they were about to commit to the earth. Perhaps we can attempt something similar. As the demands and pressure of the new year draw our attention away from this season of celebration into the exigencies of the present, may we continue to live as witnesses of the one who rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness, and wonders of his love.
—Pastor Jon
