“But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
One of the most popular internet memes right now is a clip of an interview with the stars of Wicked, a film adaptation of a Broadway musical that itself was adapted from a book of the same name. The book — which has more religion than the musical or film version — humanizes Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz. We learn her side of the story in taking on the authoritarian Wizard, who targets the vulnerable to maintain political power. The interviewer claimed fans are “holding space” for the lyrics of “Defying Gravity,” Elphaba’s showstopping number about claiming her own power to enact social change.
Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba on screen, had an overly dramatic response to the question. Her co-star Ariana Grande awkwardly held onto Erivo’s index finger. But as much as it’s become a joke, I actually do think it’s helpful to hold space for the lyrics of “Defying Gravity.”
I read the book and have seen the musical multiple times, and yet the message of standing up to authoritarianism and protecting the vulnerable resonated with me as I got up from my seat in the movie theater last week. I work at Interfaith Alliance, a national network of faith-based advocates fighting for democracy, freedom, and education. The themes of Wicked hit close to home. We’re preparing to do everything we can to stop the Trump-Vance administration from implementing Project 2025. It’s going to be a difficult next few years, especially for those the incoming administration has gained political power by targeting, including migrants and trans people.
We need a creative, inspiring, prophetic vision of the future to rally around. We need courage in times of fear and uncertainty.
Something has changed within me Something is not the same I’m through with playing by the rules of someone else’s game Too late for second-guessing Too late to go back to sleep It’s time to trust my instincts Close my eyes and leap It’s time to try defying gravity
The song is also Elphaba’s firm rejection of the Wizard’s offer for her to wield power with him, to work inside the system, you could say.
And if I’m flying solo At least I’m flying free To those who ground me Take a message back from me Tell them how I am defying gravity I’m flying high, defying gravity And soon, I’ll match them in renown And nobody in all of Oz No wizard that there is or was Is ever gonna bring me down
A Wicked themed Christmas tree in St. Pancras Station in London on Nov. 7, 2024. (Matthew Chattle/Alamy Live News)
Holding space for the lyrics of “Defying Gravity” makes me consider the way in which authoritarianism functions as a type of gravity: an invisible force that drags the body down toward the ground. Authoritarianism rests on a deprivation of belief that society can change. It limits our imagination and aspirations. The surveillance state going after the “enemy within” makes the cost of speaking out nearly insurmountable.
But we each deserve the chance to fly. We each deserve freedom. We each deserve the God-given dignity that authoritarians would deny us.
The prophetic vision of Elphaba resonates during Advent. We remember the Hebrew prophets who prophesied of a coming Messiah, the Prince of Peace, who would come not to rule over us but serve all of humanity. The prophets believed a better future lay ahead, despite the immense challenges faced in their own times. During this Advent season, I invite you to hold space for the lyrics of one of your favorite hymns. Mine is “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”
O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here Dispense the gloomy clouds of night And death’s dark shadows put to flight
Advent invites us to find hope in the darkest of times, and in the unlikeliest of places. We await the coming of Christ who defied much more than gravity. Christ defied death, and in doing so defied the worst of what authoritarian rulers could throw. In doing so, we’re all invited to find hope anew and defy the rulers of our own times.
Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons is senior director of policy & advocacy for Interfaith Alliance.
NOTE: This is part of our Unsettling Advent devotionals running Dec. 1-Dec. 24. You can subscribe for free and receive them each morning in your inbox.
