LTN Advent Calendar 2018: Light and Pyre

As we enter the season of Christmas, the Love Thy Nerd writers want to share moments from nerd culture that resonate with them and reflect the weeks of the Advent calendar.

Christmas Day – Light – Christ’s Candle

We often miss the suddenness of salvation in the Christmas story. Jesus’ birth is not a prelude for what’s coming – it’s all part of the main event. Simeon, a devout believer, does not mince words when he sees one-month-old Jesus: “for my eyes have seen [God’s] salvation.” Anna, a prophetess, also recognizes redemption is here and uses similarly grandiose terms to start spreading the story immediately. Both waited their entire lives for this one moment. Everything is changed.

“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:21

The Voice: And thus, the scribes have chosen; 
The exile appointed by the Nightwings shall be free. 
Absolved of all misdeeds. 
Returned to glory in the commonwealth.

The Reader: May she return in glory.

The Voice: Godspeed, Jodariel. 
The eight scribes are ever merciful. 
By their grace, the cycle of the rites may soon commence again.

And, just like that, sixteen years in eternal purgatory ends. Carried by the efforts of her fellow exiles in Pyre, the liberation rite is won and Jodariel is free. Their victory effectively scrubs out every crime she ever committed. As she steps into the pillar of pure light, she smiles faintly, then hurdles upwards back to her home. Everything is changed.

You can read the rest of the 2018 LTN Advent Calendar here.

Featured image “candle” by davidpwhelan (Morguefile license, resized).