Leonard Cohen is hardly the first name that comes to mind as a spokesperson for “the true meaning of the holidays.”
As a religious studies scholar specializing in the history of earliest Christianity, and a Cohen fan from a Christian background, I recognize that “festivity” is simply not a word that sits with Cohen — who was always more slyly depressing than holly jolly.
But the beloved and late Jewish poet, novelist, and singer-songwriter from Montréal does talk about light, and profoundly so. His words bring a certain bitter-sweetness to the shortest, darkest days of the year in the northern hemisphere, days which coincide with religious festivals involving light.
