A Merry Feminist Christmas, part one

I first shared this post in December 2012 … here it is again for your Advent pleasure:

My friend Jann Aldredge-Clanton is the author of Inclusive Hymns for Liberating Christians, and I am taking these days surrounding Christmas to share some of her beautiful work, which features the beautiful images of others.

Up first, today, “O Holy Darkness, Loving Womb” (to the tune of “O Little Town of Bethlehem”) which she describes as follows:

Recording artist Shannon Kincaid sings “O Holy Darkness, Loving Womb,” with pictures from various artists, to the tune of “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” This song symbolizes darkness as creative bounty and beauty, and connects darkness to the Sacred Feminine, empowering us to end injustice and heal the wounds of Earth. “O Holy Darkness, Loving Womb” contributes to racial justice by changing the traditional symbolism of darkness as evil or ominous to darkness as creative bounty and beauty, affirming the sacred value of people of color through these positive images.

Some lyrics:

O Holy Darkness, loving Womb, who nurtures and creates,

sustain us through the longest night with dreams of open gates.

We move inside to mystery that in our center dwells,

where streams of richest beauty flow from sacred, living wells.

 

Creative Darkness, closest Friend, you whisper in the night;

you calm our fears as unknown paths surprise us with new sight.

We marvel at your bounty, your gifts so full and free,

unfolding as you waken us to new reality.