Christmas II, Dawn

Luke 2: 1-20 (adapted)

Now is proclaimed the [middle of the Gospel[s], according to Luke in the second chapter.

Now it came to pass in those days that a proclamation went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone set out to be enrolled, each to the town of his ancestors.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he belonged to the house and lineage of David. He went to be enrolled with Mary his betrothed. And Mary was with child. And it came to pass that while they were there, the time was fulfilled for her to be delivered. And she bore her son, her first-born. And she wrapped him in linen and placed him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks in the night. And an angel of the Lord came upon them [appeared before them] and the light of the revelation of God shone about them. And great fear came upon them [they felt the fear of fears].

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for I announce to you a great joy, which shall be for all men on earth: today is born unto you the Bringer of Healing, in the city of David, Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign for you: you will find a little child wrapped in linen, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly around the angel was the fullness of the heavenly angelic hosts: their song of praise sounded forth to the highest:

God’s Spirit reveals itself in the heights

And brings peace to men of earth

         In whose hearts good will dwells!

And as the angels withdrew from them into the heavens, the shepherds said to one another: “Let us go to Bethlehem to see the fulfillment of the Word that has happened here, which the Lord let be proclaimed.”

And they came hastening and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. And when they had seen, they made known the Word that was spoken to them concerning this child. [or, When they saw that, they understood what had been told them concerning this child.] And all who heard it were astonished about what the shepherds said.

But Mary treasured [preserved] all these words, pondering them [turning them over] in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God to everyone for everything they had heard and seen, which was just as it had been announced to them.

Christmas II, Dawn

December 25, 2019

Luke 2: 1-20

A rose begins a tight-closed bud. Gradually it unfurls, bestowing its beauty and fragrance to the world.

The poet asks:

How

did the rose

ever open its heart

and give the world all of its beauty?

It felt the encouragement of the light against its being.*

The old Christmas hymn speaks of Christ as a rose, ever blooming, which comes in the cold of mankind’s winter. Encouraged by the light of the Father, Christ the Rose blossomed upon the tree of Jesse. His beauty and fragrance filled the world. Now he speaks. He has become the Father’s light-filled, creating Word. The poet says:

They can be like a sun, words.

They can do for the heart

What light can

for a field.**

Honthorst

Once again Christ approaches the fields of earth. His light dawns gently at first. We ask to be touched by His warmth and light. It is our hope that the light of his creating Word touch our lips, warm our hearts; so that our souls may open and receive him; so that our souls may bestow His beauty and fragrance.  “Become”, he says.

This is a moment of such gentle fullness. There is so much beauty to give to the world; so much love to give; so much encouragement. The rose of the heart opens because it feels the encouragement of the light against its being.

* Hafiz, “How Did the Rose”, in Love Poems to God, Daniel Ladinsky, p. 161

** St. John of the Cross, “They Can Be Like the Sun”, Ibid, p. 324