O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
"O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel."
~ 12th Century French Hymn
Christmas is quickly approaching and it conjures up so many memories and feelings for all of us.
For some, it is a time to joyfully celebrate Life with family and friends. For others, it can be a very painful time as we grieve the loss of what was or what we wish could be. I think of my friend, Jacquie, who lost her best friend, lover and spouse of many years less than 2 weeks ago.
I think of how my own life has changed since a year ago or even more, since 2 years ago. As I sit here typing away, I have Mannheim Steamroller A Fresh Aire Christmas playing quietly in the background and my sweet kitty, Knoll, curled up on my lap. At this moment I have a very deep sense that "All is as it should be" as my friend, Bob, said to me recently. Even so, I am anxiously awaiting the call from my daughter, Erin, to tell me that it is time for new life to spring forth in the form of Parker Burtoft. We are ready and anxious to meet the newest member of our family and we are in love with him already.
That is what Christmas means to me- the miracle of God's sacred beautiful Life visible in human form. And now, we look expectantly with hope to see God's Life shining forth more and more within the creation that is called by each of our names. That is why we are here. That is why we have come. We can be the bearers of Peace on Earth and Goodwill toward All. We can unite as Maya Angelou penned so beautifully in her Christmas Poem, Amazing Peace, as...
"We clap hands and welcome the Peace of Christmas.
We beckon this good season to wait awhile with us.
We, Baptist and Buddhist, Methodist and Muslim, say come.
Peace.
Come and fill us and our world with your majesty.
We, the Jew and the Jainist, the Catholic and the Confucian,
Implore you to stay awhile with us
So we may learn by your shimmering light
How to look beyond complexion and see community.
...We, Angels and Mortals, Believers and Nonbelievers,
Look heavenward and speak the word aloud.
Peace. We look at our world and speak the word aloud.
Peace. We look at each other, then into ourselves,
And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation:
Peace, My Brother.
Peace, My Sister.
Peace, My Soul."
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel."
~ 12th Century French Hymn
Christmas is quickly approaching and it conjures up so many memories and feelings for all of us.
For some, it is a time to joyfully celebrate Life with family and friends. For others, it can be a very painful time as we grieve the loss of what was or what we wish could be. I think of my friend, Jacquie, who lost her best friend, lover and spouse of many years less than 2 weeks ago.
I think of how my own life has changed since a year ago or even more, since 2 years ago. As I sit here typing away, I have Mannheim Steamroller A Fresh Aire Christmas playing quietly in the background and my sweet kitty, Knoll, curled up on my lap. At this moment I have a very deep sense that "All is as it should be" as my friend, Bob, said to me recently. Even so, I am anxiously awaiting the call from my daughter, Erin, to tell me that it is time for new life to spring forth in the form of Parker Burtoft. We are ready and anxious to meet the newest member of our family and we are in love with him already.
That is what Christmas means to me- the miracle of God's sacred beautiful Life visible in human form. And now, we look expectantly with hope to see God's Life shining forth more and more within the creation that is called by each of our names. That is why we are here. That is why we have come. We can be the bearers of Peace on Earth and Goodwill toward All. We can unite as Maya Angelou penned so beautifully in her Christmas Poem, Amazing Peace, as...
"We clap hands and welcome the Peace of Christmas.
We beckon this good season to wait awhile with us.
We, Baptist and Buddhist, Methodist and Muslim, say come.
Peace.
Come and fill us and our world with your majesty.
We, the Jew and the Jainist, the Catholic and the Confucian,
Implore you to stay awhile with us
So we may learn by your shimmering light
How to look beyond complexion and see community.
...We, Angels and Mortals, Believers and Nonbelievers,
Look heavenward and speak the word aloud.
Peace. We look at our world and speak the word aloud.
Peace. We look at each other, then into ourselves,
And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation:
Peace, My Brother.
Peace, My Sister.
Peace, My Soul."
posted by Becky Spellman Waltz at 5:42 PM
3 Comments:
Dear Becky, Christmas is a time to spend with families. My your Christmas be the happiness ever. I will pray for your brother.I like your journal postings. Keep up the good work. Angela A.
Dear Beck, Christmas is a celebration of birth and a profound time of rebirth. The candles and the soft snowfall, all reflect the warmth of your own divine inner glow. All my heart is with you this holy season thick with love and rich delight. Bless Harry and Parker and Knoll and You and all of your dear family. DENNIS
Dearest Becky,
Your Life Is A Gift
You Share With The World,
And My Life Is Richer
Because I have Known You,
Loved You, Honored You
and Cherished You.
A Divine, Blessed Christmas!
Sparky
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