Ruth Faber, EU-CORD CEO shares this personal Christmas reflection
As the year draws to a close, the Christian season of Advent calls us into a time of reflection and anticipation. While modern celebrations often spotlight Christmas Day, the Christian spiritual tradition emphasises the journey—preparing one’s heart and mind to fully embrace the promise of Christmas.
In Advent, we are directed to the Old Testament prophets, voices crying out in turbulent times. These prophets were truth-tellers, challenging systems of injustice and pointing towards a hope beyond the brokenness of their world. Their messages, though vital, were seldom welcomed. They often resorted to radical actions to amplify their voices, making personal sacrifices to ensure the truth was heard above the noise.
The Role of the Prophetic Voice
The prophetic tradition has relevance far beyond scripture. Today, civil society organisations often find themselves in a similar role—uncomfortable but necessary truth-tellers. In the political landscapes of our times, we often serve as voices in the wilderness, calling out injustice, speaking truth to power, and advocating for systemic change.
But prophetic voices are under increasing pressure. Civic space in Europe is shrinking, meaning that the freedom for organisations, activists, and communities to speak up and act for social change is becoming more limited. Many organisations face scrutiny, particularly when their funding comes from government or institutional sources. Does receiving such funding compromise their ability to speak out? Should organisations be silenced for fear of being labelled hypocritical simply because they operate within these constraints?
Shrinking civic space is like fencing off the public park where discussions, debates, and movements for justice used to thrive—now, access is restricted, and those who challenge the status quo are often sidelined. Yet, these prophetic voices remain essential. Far from being a betrayal, their work, even when funded by governments, is a vital part of holding power to account and advocating for a more just and equitable society.
Wilderness Voices in a Pressured World
Isaiah speaks of a “voice crying in the wilderness,” a voice that brings life and urgency to a barren place. In today’s political and social wilderness, those voices are as critical as ever. CSOs, activists, and advocates are part of the fabric that sustains democratic and just societies. Attempting to suppress them does not erase the truth they carry; it only amplifies the urgency of their cries.
As Advent reminds us, the culmination of the prophets’ messages came in an unexpected way: through the voice of a child. The birth of Christ is a profound reminder of hope and the transformative power of listening to the small, the vulnerable, and the overlooked. It’s a call to embrace the prophetic voices around us, even when their messages are challenging or disruptive to our comfort.
A Season to Embrace the Prophetic
As we prepare for Christmas, let this season be a time of listening. Who are the voices crying in today’s wilderness? What truths do they speak, even when they are hard to hear? And how can we, as individuals, churches and organisations, support the role of the prophetic in society?
This Christmas, may we embrace the prophetic role—not only as listeners but as truth-tellers in our own right, working towards justice, hope, and renewal in the wilderness of our world.
