Preparing for Christmas
Some years are exceptionally remarkable in their accomplishments; others are exceptionally disturbing in their destructiveness. 2011 has been among the latter – economically, ecologically, militarily, politically and unfortunately, often personally. Despite the apocalyptic mood which has characterized most of 2011, I expect 2012 to be a far more gratifying and pleasant time.
Advent, the four week period before Christmas, has always been my favourite season of the Year. One canʼt help but feel hopeful as each week one lights another of the four red Advent candles mounted on a wreath or log and listens to the prophetic poetry of the prophet Isaiah. No talk of covenant, no mention of doctrine; just the warm expression of personal faith:
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined,”Isaiah 9:2....
“A young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (God with us),” Isaiah 7:14....
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called ʻWonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,ʼ” Isaiah 9:6....
“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them,” Isaiah 11:6.
What better words than these to prepare us for the Grand Miracle of Christmas.
“If you want,
the virgin will come walking down the road
pregnant with the holy,
and say,
ʻI need shelter for the night, please take
me inside your heart,
my time is close.ʼ
Then, under the roof of your soul, you
will witness the sublime
intimacy, the divine, the Christ
taking birth forever,
as she grasps your hand for help, for
each of us
is the midwife of God, each of us.”
St. John of the Cross (1542 - 1591)
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