Embracing Poetry During Advent
About one-third of the Bible can be classified as poetry, featuring texts like the Book of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, and the Song of Solomon. Dr. Glenn Sunshine encourages Christians to delve into poetry, particularly during this Advent season.
Poetry holds significance for God. Interestingly, the longest book in the Bible is a poetic work, while prophetic writings often weave in poetic elements as well. Throughout history, various cultures have regarded poetry as a vital art form and a profound use of language.
Unfortunately, modern America often stands apart in this regard. We have a tendency to be analytical, favoring literal interpretations. As a result, poetry, rich with metaphors and symbols, might feel alien to us.
This lack of appreciation is quite unfortunate. Good poetry can offer new lenses through which to view our surroundings. Samuel Taylor Coleridge famously suggested that poetry allows us to break free from our “membrane of familiarity,” helping us see things as they truly are. Poetry during Advent and Christmas becomes especially valuable, providing a way to rise above the commercialization of the season and the overly familiar imagery associated with the Nativity.
Since poetry might not come easily to everyone, having a guide can be beneficial. This is where Malcolm Guite steps in. He’s a poet, an Anglican priest, a chaplain at Girton College, Cambridge, and even a rock musician. His interest lies in the intersection of religion and art, a theme explored in his writings and sonnets, making him an excellent resource for understanding poetry with a Christian focus.
Guite’s book Waiting for Your Word offers a poem for each day of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. He also has another volume, Words of the Wilderness, that includes his sonnets alongside works from notable poets like George Herbert, John Donne, and Alfred Lord Tennyson, showcasing various styles and moods of English poetry.
What enhances this book’s worth is Guite’s commentary on each poem. He explains its significance within the Advent theme and discusses the poet’s techniques. This commentary sheds light on deeper meanings and enriches our understanding of poetry itself.
Often, poetry classes leave us with the impression that it revolves solely around rhyme and meter. While we might learn about various techniques, we may not grasp how they all contribute to a poem’s meaning. Poetry often communicates in indirect ways, prompting us to look beyond surface appearances and uncover hidden meanings in our lives and experiences.
This is where poetry shows its true value. Even in a culture that leans heavily toward literal interpretations, the Bible offers a different perspective. Psalms connect spiritual truths to the natural world, and Jesus’ parables reveal deeper significance in everyday tasks, from planting seeds to baking bread. Quality poetry helps us to perceive the world differently, uncovering meaning and fostering a more sacramental worldview.
Especially during Advent and Christmas, poetry can help us transcend our usual perceptions of the season, revealing fresh dimensions of the Incarnation. It might also present new insights about our own lives that we wouldn’t notice if we stuck to our usual routines.
Similar to other Advent devotions, Waiting for Your Word begins on December 1st, so there’s still time to dive in.
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