Holy Saturday: The tomb of Christ remains dark and it is closed with a large stone. In Mark, the women make their way to the tomb while it is still dark. Here, we see Howes Chapel, late in the afternoon with just a little light breaking in through the glass door. The darkness is mysterious, and full of wonder and awe. It is Holy Saturday. The Stained Glass Windows admit no light, yet, God is at work preparing to unveil a great mystery. Too often we associate darkness with ignorance and doubt; but sometimes darkness is God’s gift. Today, then on Holy Saturday, Garrett-Evangelical looks out of the darkness and sings to the world the words of Brian Wren’s hymn, Joyful is the Dark.
Joyful is the dark, holy, hidden God,
rolling cloud of night beyond all naming:
Majesty in darkness, Energy of love,
Word in Flesh, the mystery proclaiming.
Joyful is the dark, Spirit of the deep,
winging wildly o’er the world’s creation,
silken sheen of midnight, plumage black and bright,
swooping with the beauty of a raven.
Joyful is the dark, shadowed stable floor;
angels flicker, God on earth confessing,
as with exultation Mary, giving birth,
hails the infant cry of need and blessing.
Joyful is the dark, coolness of the tomb,
waiting for the wonder of the morning;
never was that midnight touched by dread and gloom:
darkness was the cradle of the dawning.
Joyful is the dark, depth of love divine,
roaring, looming thundercloud of glory,
holy, haunting beauty, living, loving God.
Hallelujah! Sing and tell the story!
Joyful is the dark.
Joyful is the dark.
Joyful is the dark!
(Brian Wren, 1989.) see http://www.musiklus.com/anthology-catalog/joyful-is-the-dark
By Al Caldwell, Retired Faculty, editor
