The strangest day in 2003 was undoubtedly the Eclipse. Typically for Britain, the sky over us was mostly cloudy- we even wondered if we’d see the eclipse at all. The clouds grew patchy, and the disk of the Sun could be seen as a full white circle against a dark-ish background.
Gradually the disk was eaten away by a dark circle. It was growing dark… Thicker cloud ruined the view and then one last sighting of a white crescent hastily photographed for posterity. At full eclipse the whole sky darkened, a band of dark rushed over us- all the birds stopped singing- and then the Moon cleared the Sun’s disk. We were back to a “normal” grey day.
We knew it would happen. The media was full of it, the scientists had burbled in a learned way, and half of England had rushed to Devon & Cornwall for the best view. We expected the eclipse- and it was still spooky!
Imagine living 2000 years ago through an eclipse. Few people would expect the event or predict its course. Most folk just had the sun turned off... No wonder an eclipse was a portent of doom and despair. "During such times, individuals may feel isolated, lost, or adrift. We can think about situations in our lives where we feel we are walking in darkness, and we have trouble seeing the way ahead." (William David)
Joel the prophet foretold such darkening of the Sun and Moon, and linked it to the uncertainties and disobedience of God’s people. A call to repentance made more effective by the heavenly signs! Joel 3:15 says “The sun and the moon will be darkened, and the stars will no longer shine.” This was both a warning AND a reminder of the Lord’s ultimate power.
Quoting William David again: “Just as the physical world can be engulfed in darkness, our souls can sometimes feel shadowed by sin, guilt, or despair. God’s eventual intervention through Christ lifts that darkness, providing a pathway back into His light. Each time we experience darkness within ourselves, whether through doubt, fear, or insecurity, we have the invitation to turn towards God. There, we can find not just light but hope that restores our spirits.”
The troubles and uncertainties of our time represent something of a moral eclipse (and collapse). Perhaps we should see this as both a warning and a call to turn back to God?
At the beginning of Advent, we are preparing to welcome the Light of the World; the coming of the Incarnate Son fulfils another prophecy. “For the people who dwell in the land of darkness have seen a great Light.” (Isaiah 9:2)
Growing dark? Or watching for the Light?
The Reflectionary 