Sharon Delgado

Photo by Serena Mitchell, used by permission.

The above image was taken in a local medical facility the day after the recent midterms. Its caption read, “Us at work today. The future is so bright we have to wear shades.” Many are feeling joy, near disbelief, and celebration all around. Hope that there will finally be relief from unbridled cruelty, abuse of power, and blatant corruption of the Trump Administration; perhaps even accountability and positive, transformational change.

I too am celebrating this “win” by we the people. It really does bring a ray of light into the darkness that we have been living through in this time.

Still, as we approach Advent, it is important to keep in mind that hope for the United States, for our human family, and for the earth itself does not depend on any political party or any human leader. Advent, unless it is distorted by Christian nationalism, reminds us that our hope is in the God of Love, who alone deserves our ultimate loyalty. (Other faith traditions speak in other ways about commitment to what is ultimate.)

In Advent, during this darkest season of the year, this reminder of what our hearts yearn for most is represented by the expectation of the coming of the Christ Child into the world. The tone of Advent is expressed so beautifully in words from Isaiah 9:2 in Handel’s Messiah, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” Advent scriptures, hymns, and purple vestements and altar cloths call us to a time repentance and preparation, and the Advent candles point us to faith, hope, love, and finally joy at the coming of the light of Christ into the world.

In today’s post-midterm reality, it makes sense for us to rememer the whole gospel, not just the story of Jesus’ birth but also of his life, teachings, death at the hands of another cruel and corrupt Empire and its religious collaborators, his resurrection, and the tangible and living presence of his Spirit among us.

According to the Gospel of John, before Jesus died he said, “Walk while you have the light, so that darkness does not overtake you.” These are words we need to take seriously, as spiritual guidance in our personal lives as well as in our actions in the world. Especially now, when there is a window in which those of us who are concerned about the authoritarian (fascist) trajectory this country has been on can join with others to make clear that there must be significant change. Organizing and building movement strength is the only way we will change the dominant system. This election is a step along the way. But we still have a long way to go and a lot of work to do.

Today, Republican Representative Massey introduced a resolution into the US House of Representatives calling for the impeachment of Pete Hegseth for war crimes and crimes against humanity. It failed. House leader Hakeem Jeffries did not make sure all Democrats would be present or push to get it passed, and eleven Democrats were absent for the vote. All eleven, and Hakeem Jeffries himself, receive financial and political support from AIPAC (the American Israel Public Affairs Committee).

Many are calling for a change in both House and Senate leadership and are making the case that the current Democratic establishment has failed to institute the changes that are demanded by the people of this country, as evidenced by the midterms. For example, ending the Iran War was high on the list of many voters, yet Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representative Ro Khanna’s call for Democrats to withhold their support for any government funding package unless it excludes money for the Iran war is “hitting resistance from senior members of the party.” See more about the move for new Senate and House leadership here and here.

Another example of very important legislation that will be up for a vote soon is the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA), which would bring about deregulation of the fossil fuel industry. See Bill McKibben’s article, “Reform or Regression” about this bill. Read more about what is at stake with this legislation here. Here is what Colin Rees of Oil Change International has to say about BAAJA:

“This backdoor ‘dirty deal’ will worsen the climate crisis and put families at even greater risk of losing their homes and loved ones to extreme weather. The science is clear: There are no new fossil fuel projects compatible with a climate-safe future. Yet this ‘dirty deal’ would make it easier and faster for fossil fuel companies to steamroll community opposition to their polluting, climate-wrecking projects.

I have been calling my Senator and members of Congress. It doesn’t take much time. The Capitol switchboard number is 202-224-3121. Ask for your Senator and then call back twice more and ask for each of your Representatives. We need to hold them accountable.

For the midterms, people organized to find and support good candidates, who won despite attempts by corporations and oligarchs to buy the elections. It’s great to put on shades for a bit, to rest, and to celebrate our successes. We need to acknowledge everyone who put in time and energy and turned out to vote. These moments of acknowledgement and celebration strengthen our bonds of community. But its going to take continued organizing and hard work to keep the momentum going in a positive and hopeful direction.

“Walk while you have the light, so that darkness does not overtake you.”

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