In the beginning was the word…
There is a time for all of us before words… The beginnings of our common journey start’s in the womb, a warm, dark place, and though we may hear voices, the most frequent of course, being the voice of our mother, yet in this beginning, there are no words of our own. Words then are not primary in our development – they only come later. In the dark of the womb, we have no words of our own. It is only once we have emerged into the light of day that sounds, and words are formed. The first screams mean that we discover the power of the voice and to give voice means that we have begun the journey of discovery of the world of words. Once discovered it is difficult to imagine what it might be like not to be able to use words. It is very difficult to have a voice if you do not use words.
A child who discovers words discovers language and language of words gives a quite sophisticated way with which to articulate feelings and, hence meaning. Meaning is dependent upon feelings and feelings are dependent upon words. Feelings need words, for without words feelings are unable to inform the deepest part of ourselves. I cannot fully know who I am if I cannot put words to my feelings. If I cannot put words to my feelings, then my feelings must remain locked up – as if a part of me has been put back into darkness – without words my feelings are diminished, and I can only exist in a frustrated state. Reduced once again to primitive infantile screams.
Trauma comes in all shapes and sizes. Trauma can affect anyone and everyone – no one is immune from the possibility of suffering the effects of trauma. I have spent much of my ministry working with people who have suffered trauma of one kind or another. I will give but one example. Some of the most psychologically damaging trauma can occur during a complicated birth. The effects of a traumatised birth impact upon both mother and baby – leaving both damaged - unable to find the words with which to articulate the pain there is often a collapse into a numbed-out state, which can remain compartmentalised deep within the human psyche for years – even a lifetime. Part of a life with no words. Part of a life with no feelings. Half a life with no meaning.
Words mean life. Words bring to life what is hidden and give value to that life, which, without words, would be lost and abandoned. Words mean life and bring life that is hidden in darkness into the light of day. “Now you and I both know how I feel, for I have spoken. Now we can engage with relationship and contemplate together the next step.” Without words, our capacity for relationship can only stumble – at best a guessing game. With words, we can know ourselves and we can know each other. To misquote the famous words of the C17th French philosopher Rene Descartes, “I speak therefore I am.”
In the dark of midnight, we contemplate the beginning of life given to us by God himself. “In the beginning was the word.” We re-evaluate the meaning of life. We recognise in the Christ Child the frailty of life and so the need for care – care that those words first given by God, in the beginning, are treated with the sacredness that they deserve. For all words express life – and should be respected and heard – however spoken. God speaks – and His words give life – “and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it.”
As you spend time with your family this Christmastide – listen carefully. Hear what is being said. Take no words for granted. Think and feel carefully and then articulate in words the meaning that this God-given life means to you.
In doing so, you will bring life to others.
“The word was God and the word was with God.” May it be your gift this Christmastide.
Amen.
Revd Mark Bailey