The Comic/Tragic Distinction

     Ever since I first encountered Soren Kierkegaard in my undergraduate studies I have grown to recognize and appreciate the comic/tragic distinction in the world.  In Iceland I feel that I am not alone in this appreciation. For instance, in the middle of singing songs at Skalholt, the pastors made sure to let us know that they are a melancholy people here.  Yet, in the midst of this dark and cold winter, the Icelanders we have encountered have no problem cracking jokes and telling stories. Their spirits are bright when nothing else seems to be. Perhaps it is merely the sky which is melancholy.
     We experienced much joy ourselves as we partied down with the children of Reykjavik at the Thrattandin which is a celebration for the last day of the thirteen days of Christmas.  Instead of one happy Santa, Iceland thinks it better to have thirteen bad Santas (not including Billy Bob Thorton).  Today is the last day of the Christmas celebration with the last Santa who has to walk the farthest so he arrives last. It was a fun time complete with fireworks, fire and plenty of children in snowsuits.   Though the presentation was geared a bit below our age level, I had a wonderful time and am glad that we were present. 
     The last day of Christmas in the past has marked the beginning of the Thorablud in Iceland's past.  Thorablud is a time in the winter months when Icelanders were unable to hunt, fish or gather fresh food so they had to rely on rotted meats, less than favorable delicacies and basically whatever else they could find to survive.  Tonight we had a meal complete with several of the dishes that would be enjoyed (or endured depending on one's perspective) during this historical time period.  Genereously featured were blood and liver sausage, head cheese, ram's head, dried halibut, smoked salmon, and, most revered, shark meat.  The shark meat stands out probably because it both smells the worst and is the most unique.  The shark meat at the time of capture is unedible and must be placed in the ground for several months before it is able to be enjoyed (or, once again, endured).  It is a meat unlike any other and, though I am glad that I tried the shark meat tonight, I think I will be slow to partake again in the future. 
     Nevertheless, I feel that I must applaud the Icelandic spirit that shows itself continually able to perservere.  Thorablud was an annual time for which Icelanders prepared every year, the sun annually makes itself scarce, and, still today, natural disasters rock this little island in a way that is hard to comprehend.  On our way back from Skalholt yesterday we had dinner with a group of pastors from the southern part of the island.  They ministered to the area in the country most affected by the volcanic eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in 2010.  They shared about how the area around the village Vik was covered in ash that rained on farms, cattle, cars and people for weeks.  They impressively were able to minister to and for one another as everyone pitched in to help out with the needs of God's people in the wake of the disaster.  Yet, they are preparing for an even bigger eruption that could happen any time now at the volcano Katla.  They say that when it erupts it will be even bigger, accompanied not only by lava and ash, but also flood waters from melting glacier, tsunami from the flood meeting the sea, as well as ever present earthquake activity.  These disasters all are centered in the same area and provide the constant threat under which the inhabitants of Vik lived. And yet, they perservere.  I am not sure if I would be able to endure these pressures or not, but I must say that I am impressed by their ability to do so.  Perhaps the Icelanders are more than just a melancholy people...

Drottin we pray for those who mourn, those who rejoice, and those unable to tell the difference.  May your guiding hand lead them to experience what you have called them to, and strengthen them where necessary.  There are many volcanoes under which we live in this life, both literal and figuritive, and from which we pray that you will spare us.  Be with all those that we love, eveywhere, that love may endure. Amen.