Poetry for the Eve of Christmas: Madeleine L'Engle

The Risk of Birth

This is no time for a child to be born,

With the earth betrayed by war & hate

And a comet slashing the sky to warn

That time runs out & the sun burns late.

That was no time for a child to be born,

In a land in the crushing grip of Rome;

Honour & truth were trampled by scorn-

Yet here did the Saviour make his home.

When is the time for love to be born?

The inn is full on the planet earth,

And by a comet the sky is torn-

Yet Love still takes the risk of birth.

-- Madeleine L'Engle

Poetry In Advent: Joy

A Sunday for Joy

A Sunday to remember Mary,

Theotokos,

God-bearer,

Mother of God in Christ.

"My soul magnifies the Lord, 
 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. 

Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
 He has shown strength with his arm; 

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy

 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, 

to Abraham and to his descendants forever." 

-- Luke 1: 46b - 55

'Magnificat'

Words and music: John Michael Talbot

Played and sung by Steve Bell

Poetry in Advent: Steve Bell

Reflecting on the person and work of St. Nicholas of Myra -- whose feast day was December 6, and the man whose legend evolved into the one we call "Santa Claus" -- singer-song-writer Steve Bell recorded this song:

KINDNESS*

Christ has no body here but ours
No hands, no feet here on earth but ours
Ours the eyes through which He looks
On the world with kindness.

Ours are the hands through which He works
Ours are the feet on which He moves
Ours the voices through which He speaks
To this world with kindness.

Through our touch, our smile,
our listening ear
Embodied in us, Jesus is living here.
Let us go now, inspirited
Into this world with kindness.

*Written by Brian McLaren, recorded by Steve Bell; lyrics adapted from the poem  "Christ Has No Body" by Teresa of Avila.

 

Christmas Sing-along!

All Welcome!

Get your Jingle Bells on and join us

for an hour of Very Merry Songs and Carols!

Saturday, December 16, 2017

1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Refreshments to follow!