Dancing in the Streets

Second Week of Advent – Friday

Is. 48:17-19 / Ps. 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6 / Mt. 11:16-19

Dancing in the Streets

The 60’s hit “Dancin’ in the Streets” by Martha and the Vadellas is the antithesis of this reading. The song sings of a seemingly irresistible trend: hear the music, dance the steps. Music can soothe the savage beast. It can also whip a crowd into a frenzied mosh pit. Whether it is the artful choreography of ballroom dancing or the free-styling gyrations of the club scene, dancing might be the perfect metaphor for the soul stirring the body into expression. For some cultures, as in Nigeria, special occasions always include dance as an expression of emotion; dance is not only used for entertainment but also as a means of storytelling – commemorating births, harvest, success, war, suffering, thanksgiving and entertainment.  

The audiences of Jesus and John prefer to be wall flowers rather than give expression to their inner life. They refuse to be moved to tears by the prophet of woe or to smiles and laughter by the life of the party. Jesus compares them to children, perhaps on a summer’s afternoon who have so many choices of what to do — swimming, cycling, skateboarding, useful yard work, hanging out with friends, going to the beach, fishing, playing cards — and they can’t get themselves out of bed or away from the television.

People have been reduced to tears by John’s words of doom, so much has fear overcome them. Others have joined the crowd on the dance floor doing the Chicken Dance or the Cha Cha Slide, waving their arms to Y-M-C-A with the Bridegroom and his bride. But this generation will not dance. Why? Are they afraid they’ll look funny? At wedding receptions some of the people who enjoy themselves the most are the ones – young and old and in between – who have no idea that they are clapping on the down beat or stepping on their partner with their second left foot. Christians – despite some traditions of restraint and some off-key notes and wrong steps – are people of tunes and dancing and weeping.

• Are you willing to weep for your sins? Are you ready to rejoice in reconciliation? Today take some time to turn on some music and listen. Perhaps you’ll want a sad song to make you weep. Perhaps you’ll want a joyful noise. Perhaps you’ll want to choose an Advent hymn. Whatever it is, respond to the music with your body by singing a few lines or dancing to the tune.