“When the song of angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are
home,
When the shepherds are back with
their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry,
to release the prisoner,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among the brothers,
to make music in the heart.” -Howard Thurman
Not because of law but because of love –
Be it done unto me according to your will.
You wrap me in a Christmas quilt, fragrant with spice.
Rosemary calls me to remember.
Be it done unto me according to your will.
I am not root-bound, but rooted.
Rosemary calls me to remember.
Turn,turn, turn
I am not root-bound, but rooted.
You wrap me in a Christmas quilt, fragrant with spice.
Turn, turn, turn
Not because of law, but because of love.
Bobby Gross, in his book Living the Christian Year, speaks of giving ourselves permission for both song and groan during Advent. The waiting, the yearning, longing element present in this time were in my thoughts here.
Advent Lament
We wait without words
Behind windows covered with curtains of darkness
With shoulders too weary to shrug.
Wearing shawls of worry.
Behind windows covered with curtains of darkness
Worried, wandering, worn.
With shoulders too weary to shrug.
Sanctus Deus, Sanctus Fortis, Miserere Nobis.
Worried, wandering, worn,
Wearing shawls of worry.
Sanctus Deus, Sanctus Fortis, Miserere Nobis.
We wait without words.
Open, door of my heart
Go out, Pain. Go out Fear.
Leave now, Despair.
Come in, Peace. Come in Fortitude.
Go out, Pain. Go out Fear.
Welcome, Forgiveness.
Come in, Peace. Come in, Fortitude.
Bring in Hope.
Welcome, Forgiveness.
Leave now, Despair.
Bring in Hope.
Open, door of my heart.
Written by Deborah Bray, recorded by Cynthia Clawson, this hymn brings beauty and mystery to my Advent morning meditation.
Stones and Feathers 