Christmas Eve
By Christina Rosetti Christmas hath a darkness, Brighter than the blazing noon, Christmas hath a chillness, Warmer than the heat of June, Christmas hath a beauty, Lovelier than the world can show: For Christmas bringeth Jesus, Brought for us so low. Earth, strike up your music, Birds that sing and bells that ring; Heaven hath answering music, For all Angels soon to sing: Earth, put on your whitest, Bridal robe of spotless snow: For Christmas bringeth Jesus, Brought for us so low.
On this holy night when Christ was born, the poem above is a good final thought to sit with a while, before all the joy and festivities of Christmas proper break forth tomorrow.
The poem begins by presenting us with two paradoxes: darkness that is brighter than noon, and chillness that is warmer than the heat of June. This recalls the heart of the paradox that occurs tonight - the infinite, all powerful God becomes a finite, specific human and is born as a helpless, small baby, in conditions of anonymity and poverty. This divine condescension, Rosetti reminds us, is lovelier than any beauty that exists in the world. Because of the Incarnation, the entire earth should celebrate with nature (birds) singing and all of humanity (bells) rejoicing. Even Heaven itself (the angels) will join in singing God's praises. Let us be awake and aware then, let us put on "bridal robes of spotless snow," in our minds, hearts and souls, for "For Christmas bringeth Jesus, Brought for us so low."
0 Comments
Something unexpected and remarkable is coming. Much like the Indian Ring-Necked Parakeet ornament above, it is not something we see every day. It's special. It's significant. It ushers in the beginning of something new, something we don't want to miss. It's described in the First Reading for today, in the excerpt from Scripture below. And suddenly there will come to the temple
the LORD whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, Refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD. (Mal 3:1-3)
This year is the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the release of Bambi. We are all familiar with the basic story of this movie. Bambi is born, he spends some happy, innocent days growing as a faun before his mother is cruelly cut down in the prime of her life, at a time when Bambi himself is fully in need of her guidance and protection. He has to make it on his own to adulthood. As the movie shows, he is successful in growing and maturing and eventually becomes a mature adult male.
This movie in particular is a study of the meek and innocent. Much of the movie is spent detailing the lives of Bambi and his woodland friends as they play and hide and, somehow, survive and make it to adulthood, so that they can rear their own families. As we approach Christmas, many of the themes in this movie can help illuminate the birth of Christ, such as the mother who would give her life for her son, the son who spent much of his time in the company of his friends, and above all, the portrayal of the meek and the innocent in the face of violence. At his trial before Pontius Pilate, Jesus himself says "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants [would] be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here." (John 18:36) A big part of the hope of Christmas is the world it points us to. This is the world of the end times, which the Jewish people fervently anticipated. A time of emancipation from violence at the hands of the Romans. A time of peace when they would be able to worship God in both word and deed, without fear of retribution. A time of great internal, and therefore, external, freedom. A world where the lion would lie down with the lamb, where there would be peace on all God's holy mountain. We still long for, look for, and pray for this same world. R. Alleluia, alleluia. O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust! R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The First Reading for today comes from the Song of Songs and expresses the Lord's desire to be us. Take a break for just a few moments today to read and rest in this beautiful poetry.
Hark! my lover–here he comes, springing across the mountains, leaping across the hills.
My lover is like a gazelle or a young stag. Here he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattices. My lover speaks; he says to me, “Arise, my beloved, my dove, my beautiful one, and come! “For see, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of pruning the vines has come, and the song of the dove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance. Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one, and come! “O my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the secret recesses of the cliff, Let me see you, let me hear your voice, For your voice is sweet, and you are lovely.” (SG 2:8-14) Lily's Flower Shop is a tribute to that quintessential Christmas plant, the poinsettia. In fact, the poinsettia is one of the few plants blooming at this time of year in the northern hemisphere. Native to Mexico and Central America, the poinsettia is a tropical plant that was introduced to the U.S. in the 1820's by Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Minister to Mexico.
Standing outside the flower shop is a garden gnome, who for some unknown reason, is unpainted. Next to the gnome is a young girl, all decked out in red. She seems to be looking right at the large poinsettia in the window and is wearing a huge smile. This ornament speaks to us of being in two places - outside, looking in, and inside, looking out. Where are you, in your Advent journey? Are you on the outside, feeling rushed, overwhelmed, disconnected from the meaning of Advent? Or are you on the inside, feeling separated from the festivities and those you love, stuck due to work, distance and other commitments? The truth is, most of us go back and forth between both places. But it's the smile on the young girl's face that we should focus on to give a sense of peace. This time will pass, and spring will return once again. To the extent that we can, let's just enjoy being inside and outside, and try to be present in both.
Room in the Inn
By Elma Helgason verse 7 and final: O what happiness lies in this labor of love - Just to know we may each have a part. And the gladness of Christmas will flow from above, When there's room in the inn of our hearts. Reflect: Constance R. Goodwyn, the name of the snow girl in the ornament featured above, demonstrates the joy of being part of the "labor of love, " the work of making room in the inn of our hearts. She is the 18th ornament in a long-running series called "Snowtop Lodge." Each ornament in this series features a different way of participating in the Snowtop Lodge community. With the wriggling puppy in her arms and the outdoor snow scene on her skirt, Constance seems to be at one with nature. She brings to mind the phrase spoken by the angels to the shepherds on that first Christmas: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2:14) When there is peace in our hearts because we each take up "the part" we are asked to play, then there will also be peace and joy to those who serve the Lord, regardless of the circumstances. This is a big promise, and it all starts "when there's room in the inn of our hearts."
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
Room in the Inn
By Elma Helgason verse 6: When the helpless of earth come for help to our door, We must aid them, the last and the least. Do we lovingly give? We must do more and more, Till our work for the Master has ceased. Reflect: The Advent season gives us a chance to develop some new habits, habits that will hopefully continue after the gifts have all been given, the decorations packed away, and the sounds of the parties have faded. Advent gives us a chance to think about other people, especially the "last and the least." The needs of the helpless will not end on December 25. At the same time, our own need to be other-focused will likewise continue. If we pack away our goodwill after Christmas, then we have missed the opportunities that Advent promises - to welcome the Messiah into our hearts, homes and especially into our habits. Who are the "last and the least" in your life? Do they live in the same house as you? The house next door? The helpless may be a lot closer than we might think. As the Iris Fairy above reminds us, the purple, thoughtful time of Advent is drawing to a close. Don't let it go without deciding how you will continue to do the Master's work in the new year. Room in the Inn
By Elma Helgason verse 5: Is there room in the inn when the lonely and weak Bring their troubles to you and to me? Do we give them the blessings they longingly seek, Or just close up our heart's door and flee? Reflect: It is certainly true that there is an epidemic of loneliness and anxiety going on right now. We have never been more connected through technology, and at the same time never as separated and alone. Often, the lonely are also the weak, such as the disabled or the elderly. For example, statistics tell us that close to 90% of nursing home residents never receive any guests. At all. Ever. The zebra rocking horse ornament above reminds us of the importance of simply spending time with those who are on their own, and often all alone. We may hear the same memories over and over; we certainly may not feel like we're "getting anywhere" (whoever moved ahead on a rocking horse?), we may even have to sit through a litany of complaints, but simply being present and attentive, is one of the most important gifts we can give. Who do you know who is overlooked and unseen? Room in the Inn
By Elma Helgason verse 4: Is there room in the inn? Do the Christmas bells ring? While the doors of our hearts are shut tight? Can we hear the sweet chorus the angels did sing? While the lost are still out in the night? Reflect: There's an old saying about the kingdom of God. It's "here, but not yet." At this time of year, that expression can easily translate into only focusing only on the sights and sounds of parties and happiness. The joy and brightness we see is most certainly part of how we should live this season, and indeed, the entire year - it points us to the joy of the Incarnation. But we should also take care to remember the other side - the "not yet" part. Do the good things of Christmas - the presents, the parties, the gatherings, the decorations - i.e. the Christmas bells and angel chorus - only apply to me, my family and those we love? Father Christmas' Reindeer above, reminds us to gird ourselves, mount up, and go out into the dark, the night, into those places we would rather not venture, to find the lost and bring them the gifts of God as well. |
This blog page is a slightly different type of Advent calendar. Using ornaments, Scripture and poetry for reflection, we journey through the 28 days of Advent 2022 to Christmas morning, and the Incarnation of Christ.
ArchivesCategories |