Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. (1 Samuel 1:2)

Unfair

Though motherhood and the longing for it are central to Hannah’s story, its focal point is something that all people can relate to. At the heart of her story is the question of joy, and how to find it in a world where things are unfair. Let’s face it, no one deserved a child more than Hannah, for she was the first wife and the one her husband wanted. But sadly, after a long stretch of barrenness, a second wife, named Peninnah, was brought in to fill the house with children.

Hannah was the most beloved while her co-wife was the baby machine and, just like Rachel and Leah, things ended up in rivalry. Peninnah would laugh and mock surrounded by sons and daughters, while Hannah would be showered with gifts and comfort from their husband. Then the rivalry spilled over into the worship place; the space where Hannah looked for strength to bear the weight of childlessness.

Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.

Truly, things were not fair for Hannah, and they were also not fair for the co-wife who mocked her. After all, who wants to be married just for their fertility? Peninnah also wanted acceptance, and was working hard to get it. Each, despite their rivalry, was looking for joy, and wondered if it was possible should fairness not come. Could one still have joy if the childlessness continued? And could the other still have joy if the lovelessness would never end?

Despair

While on the road to parenthood my wife and I wondered how we could find joy, and especially after experiencing the unfairness of child loss. We also wrestled with fears that our desire would not be fulfilled, and the questions of joy being possible should childlessness be our fate. Perhaps we could find it by doting more on our pets and renovating a house? Or perhaps we could find it by changing professions and getting new hobbies?

With all of these questions in mind we came to the realization that while knowing its name we could not really define joy. In other words, we did know what we were really searching for. Was it a feeling, a state of mind, or a mystical thing that came from God?

 In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.

Van Jones once said that joy is a decision, while happiness is the byproduct of good circumstances. This decision is choosing to face life with a radical hope that says, “No matter how things turn out for me, what brings despair is not the final word.” For Hannah despair was being childless and barren, which brought women guilt and shame and burdened them with worry. While for Peninnah despair was being unloved and tolerated, which made women work to prove themselves and compete with one another.

Nevertheless, Hannah decided that no matter what the outcome, the things that brought her trouble were not the final word. So after being mocked once more she went back to the sanctuary, and made a vow while sending up a prayer unanswered many times:

Lord Almighty, if you give me a son, then I will give him to You for all the days of his life.

Hallelujah

From the outside joy can seem like a coping mechanism, but it is really a bold declaration in a world that is unfair. It is saying, as Van Jones puts it, “Hallelujah Anyhow!”, with the knowledge that good things and better times will come. Centuries before Christ’ birth, many people did the same, and especially in the times when Israel was conquered. Life was not fair as they faced oppressors like the Babylonians, and the temptation was to give up and live with faithlessness. Nevertheless, there were those such as the prophet Daniel who spoke against despair with a radical hope. These people boldly cried, “Hallelujah Anyhow!”, and declared that captivity was not the final word. Better times were coming with peace and restoration, and out of this they looked forward despite the troubles around them.

During Advent we do like Daniel, Hannah, and others in Israel’s past, and make a bold declaration in an unfair world. There is so much around us today that tempts us to lose heart, but in the beautiful traditions of this season we show a radical hope. Through the candles we light each Sunday we say, “Hallelujah Anyhow!”. Through the calendars with chocolates we say, “Hallelujah Anyhow!” Through songs and carols as say “Hallelujah Anyhow!”

We are looking forward to better things despite the troubles around us. And the greatest of these things is the second coming of Jesus, whose first coming we remember and cherish with joy.

The images featured in this post are by Scotty J. Williams.