Iceland has a tradition on New Year’s Eve of building, what they call, Brenna bonfires throughout communities. It is a way of saying goodbye to the “old” as they build small mountains of objects they don't need any more and set the piles on fire across the cities. I see it as a way to say “Good Riddance” to things of the past that have been weighing them down and to create space in order to look forward to a year of new opportunities and beginnings.
December 21 is the longest night of the year. On that day, the sun will set at 4:11pm and won’t rise again until 7:12am the next day.
We are going to start a new tradition here at Holy Trinity and combine “Brenna Bonfires” with the “Longest Night” of the year. You are invited to come to our parking lot from 6-8pm on Dec. 21. We will have two fires going. At one fire, I will there throughout the evening for you to come and gather while appropriate music for the season and evening plays. (For a sample, take a listen to “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” by Folk Angel.) Wear a mask, bring a cup of coffee and visit with whoever is present at the time you are there. At the other fire, we will have our own “mini-Brenna bonfire.” There will be a table set up next to the fire and on it will be paint sticks, sharpies and a prayer. Take a paint stick and write down one, some or all of the things you want to say “Good Riddance” to from this past year. No one will be reading this, so it is not just okay, but good to be personal and specific. Write down the emotional baggage you have been carrying around or the personal habits you are trying to kick. After you name those, then you can write down more general ideas that the world needs to be rid of, like the pandemic or hate. After you are down naming things and writing them on the paint stick, take a copy of the prayer from the table, read it and then throw the paint stick in the fire. (Take the prayer home and put it in a place where you will see it regularly for the next several days.) Stay there as long as you want as the fire burns just a bit brighter and linger in its light and warmth. When you are ready, return to the other fire or head home.
I think traditions and rituals are important, especially in times of adversity. We need to name what is going on around us and remind ourselves that they won’t last forever, even if it feels like they will. If people are asked to name when the darkest and longest nights of the year are, most will name the nights that occur in January and Feb. Yet, it is during those months when the days are actually getting longer. Each day will have just a few more minutes of sunlight than the one before. If we don’t stop and notice it, it is easy to think the darkness will last forever and for us to give into feelings of despair and hopelessness that nothing will change.
During this new tradition may we name the reality of the night around us but remind ourselves that it is not permanent. Rather, light is not only coming, but is starting to arrive.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Tim