Winters in the World

 

And so I cannot think, for the world,
why my spirit does not grow dark
when I consider all the life of men:
how they suddenly left the hall,
brave young warriors. Just so this earth
every day declines and decays,
and so a man cannot grow wise before he has had
his share of winters in the world.

(The Wanderer)

The year revolves again and again, round and round we come back to the seasons with a year in between another transition, visiting that somehow familiar feeling yet maybe something is different this time around. The years turn and they bring us into wisdom as we live in the world, and therefore live through winters in the world. Seasons help us recognize the differences of our lives - the cycle, the repetition is welcome to our souls. That slow unfolding ability to see our lives. We are able to (hopefully) pay attention to see each turn of the calendar with new eyes in the world which we have lived in for many years. 

The four seasons we are familiar with, but this book brings them all to new light from the perspective of the Anglo-Saxon time - winter, lencten, sumor, haerfest. It has been a delight to read, especiallly as it starts in Winter, and we are in the depths of Winter now. 

Maybe sorrow clings to the heart in this season. Perhaps truth remains elusive.

Time keeps gliding onward in one direction. We can look backward to gain wisdom and look hopeful into the road ahead.

Deeper we go into Winter now. Christmas is just days away. My heart softens and quiets and I pray for  refection time to rest and focus on the gift of Christmas coming. In a season we moderns have made to be so busy and hectic, I find my soul longing for retreat and delight in this darkest season where the light of Christ should become what we see everything else in the world by.

Bless you this Christmas - may it bring you tidings of deep joy. Joy beyond what we could ever ask for.

Christ was born, glory of kings,
at Midwinter, marvellous prince,
eternal Almighty, and on the eighth day
named 'Healer', heaven's guardian.

(The Menologium, an Anglo-Saxon poem about the cycle of the year)

Cosy with a Dash of Christmas

 

Wintry tales and dashes of Christmas. Short stories. Poems. Scripture. So many wonderful words to set the mind in a place of the coming of Christmas. Festive and beautiful Christmas carols fill my head all day long these days.

The First Noel the Angels did say 
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep
Noel Noel Noel Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

I just recently heard a lovely insight about the incarnation which set my thoughts to pondering, from Athanasius - He became what we are, so we can become what He is. 

Hark! The herald angels sing 
"Glory to the new-born king
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the new-born king"

The coming of Christ is a shocking event that happened in our world, in history, tied to a time and place. And yet it holds everything together even deeper than we can understand. It is the thread that weaves into every aspect of history. Do you notice how in many of the carols there are words about peace and reconciliation? Our broken world needs that hope of peace and true reconciliation, which is what God offers to us in Jesus. 

Oh holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til he appeared and the soul felt its worth

What a beautiful, festive week and weekend - reading Christmas stories, watching Christmasy videos, my office Christmas dinner, my niece performed in her piano recital, and my church had its annual Christmas concert (full orchestra and several choirs). Lovely and festive, cheerful and hopeful. I have been feeling the spirit of Christmas and I hope you are, too - the Light of the world shines through the darkness, and the darkness cannot and does not overcome it.

Moving Into Advent

 

As the calendar moves us into a new season, now in the second week of Advent, so I move into a new cosy home (and little by little getting organized). Bookshelves are stacked haphazardly instead of thoughtfully, I am learning where things are and where to store items, and I am getting accustomed to sounds and the environment of a new place. We have journeyed through the first week of advent. A period starting in darkness leading into the weeks of waiting for the gift of Jesus.

The days continue to grow shorter. Dawn rises later and later as I am sipping coffee by the window, I start in dim light and watch the gentle glow begin to cast itself over the land. The sun sets before the end of the work day, and we need the warm lights to glow for us early in the evening.

The light is gentle and it is growing as we inch our ways toward Christmas. 

O come O come, Emmanuel...

It's the season of light dawning. Doesn't it seem even more significant when the world is dark, both metaphorically and naturally (seasonally)? That light you see cresting over the horizon is hopeful and lovely. It awakens our senses to a fresh day with all the possibilities open to us.

Like a new journal full of pages, each new page is a clean start. Our imaginations can get a grip onto something in the open space of a new day, to land somewhere wonder-filled.

These approaching Winter days are full of ways to see the world with fresh eyes of a new day.

It makes an Even Face
Of Mountain and of Plain -
Unbroken Forehead from the East
Unto the East again.

(Emily Dickinson)

People look East, as the hymn says, because the dawn is coming. Look to the hope of what is to come. The Light is coming, and this is the time in Advent where we look East and prepare for the Love, Light, Goodness, as the Lord is coming.

People look East and sing today, Love the Lord is on the way.