Herald
I do a lot of Shakespeare, and there are heralds all over the place. Heralds are professional shouters. Or pronouncers. Or, in the parlance of the theatre, experts in vocal projection. Before the days of loudspeakers, heralds not only brought the news, but declared it. They’re different from posts, who carried the news, and messengers, who shared the news in relatively close company. One of my favorite descriptions of a herald comes from Shakespeare’s poem, Venus and Adonis.
Look, the world's comforter, with weary gait,
His day's hot task hath ended in the west;
The owl, night's herald, shrieks, 'Tis very late;'
The sheep are gone to fold, birds to their nest,
And coal-black clouds that shadow heaven's light
Do summon us to part and bid good night.
The owl is the herald: one whose voice is loud and distinctive, signaling that something’s coming.
King’s College Choir does quite all right, too.
That descant, though.
Herald owls and herald angels bring signals. Signs. Wonders.
While silent, the Lighting of the Beacons in The Lord of the Rings is a fantastic example of signaling. Each beacon heralds the next. Something is on the way.
Heralds work because they are distinct, set apart from the noise and bustle around them:
Hooting in the quiet dark
A descant amid the harmonious
Hot fire on snowy mountain peaks
Prophetic voices insisting that we pay attention
Strangeness among the predictable
Side note: I refer you back to my post about one of my favorite Advent movies, Arrival, where alien beings herald the coming of an uncertain future.
Advent & Arrival
One of my favorite Advent films is Denis Villeneuve's 2016 sci-fi feature, Arrival. What makes an Advent film? For me, Advent is a time of anticipation, expectation, possibility, and hope. Maybe that’s me being redundant. Advent comes straight from the Latin
Meditation
Find a peaceful place for meditation. You might choose to have "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" playing softly in the background. As you close your eyes, consider the various ways a herald appears in our lives. Reflect on the owl in 'Venus and Adonis' as a symbol of wisdom and foresight, the angelic choir heralding the advent of hope and joy, and the beacons in The Lord of the Rings as a call to unity and action.
Contemplate the heralds in your own life – those moments, experiences, or people that have announced significant changes, offered guidance, or called you to a greater purpose. Consider how these heralds have shaped your journey and how you might respond to their call.
Examen
Recall a time when you experienced a 'herald' in your life. What message did it bring, and how did it alter your path or perspective?
Reflect on the emotional and spiritual resonance of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing." How does this hymn speak to you during Advent?
Consider the 'Lighting of the Beacons' and its symbolism of unity and call to action. How can this imagery inspire you to connect and respond to the needs of your community?
What are the heralds in your current life, signaling change or action? How can you be more attentive and responsive to these signals during this season?