Glory
Here’s a little liturgy on the notion of Glory.
Glory’s a difficult concept for me. Today, I want to spend some time reclaiming the word, or perhaps resettling it. I think we understand the idea of glory in its sense of achievement or renown because of the sportsball or militaristic or patriotic meanings we encounter frequently in the culture. Think “Glory, Glory, Hallelujah.” Instead, I want to spend time with others of its meanings: Magnificence. Beauty. Revelation. Place.
In 1997 or something, my friend Lauren, the resident musical theatre geek in my high school, started playing RENT nonstop in our free time during our Musical Theatre class with Marty Hook. I found myself in a Best Buy with the opportunity to grab the two-disc cast recording. I got what Lauren’s obsession was about. I probably wore out the disc and the ears of my parents and siblings with how many times I played this song on repeat.
A few years later, I found myself in the front row of an Audra McDonald concert at the Folly Theater in Kansas City. I can’t recall if she sang this song, but I bought her album and wore this song out, too.
For me, Glory is the thing that happens when I’m listening to these songs. It is the bodily takeover in the face of great beauty — pristine lyrics, transcendent story, unearthly vocals. McDonald’s song (written by Adam Guettel) also refers to Glory as a place — heaven — wherein we will find this great beauty. But also great peace and, perhaps especially, great justification. Some art happens in furnaces.
Though it’s these ideas that circle back to the idea of achievement, I want to humbly suggest that Glory is best understood as a generative process — personal, bodily, communal, cosmic — that creates beauty, magnificence, delight, wonder, and awe. The reason I’m not quite including the Battle Hymn of the Republic is because our culture can too easily understand this generative process as a war, battle, or thing to be won. I’m not arguing that Glory cannot accompany those things. I am here to thread needles: Glory is creativity and splendor. And you can’t kill and destroy your way to it. Maybe you can sacrifice your way to it, though.
And this Advent, I’d also argue that as a generative process, Glory is much more like giving birth than winning a war.
What Glory is being birthed in this season?
Meditation
Choose a quiet, comfortable spot for meditation, perhaps with any of these songs playing gently in the background. As you close your eyes and take deep, calming breaths, think about the concept of glory. Consider the various interpretations and emotions these songs evoke about glory – its fleeting nature in "One Song Glory," its spiritual depth in "How Glory Goes," and its triumphant, unifying force in "Glory" from Selma.
Reflect on the presence of Glory in your life. Think about moments that felt glorious, whether in birthing, connection, awe, or revelation. Contemplate how these experiences have shaped your understanding of glory – as something that transcends the ordinary, uplifts the spirit, and connects us with something greater than ourselves.
Examen
Recall a recent experience where you felt a sense of Glory. What made this moment stand out, and how did it impact you?
Reflect on the lyrics and emotions conveyed in "One Song Glory," "How Glory Goes," and "Glory" from Selma. How do these songs resonate with your personal experiences of glory?
Consider the role of glory in your spiritual or personal journey. How does it manifest, and in what ways does it inspire or challenge you?
Identify moments in your daily life where you can more consciously seek and appreciate glory. How can you cultivate a deeper awareness and appreciation of glory during this Advent season?