Was writing a homily for a MOOT service and reading some Frederick Buechner. This is a papraphrase from a longer and beautifully written passage in his book ' The Faces of Jesus.' It seemed somehow appropriate to the time of year.
So hallowed and Gracious is the time - these lines from the first scene of Hamlet in a sense say it all. Marcellus is walking on the cold battlements of Elsinore speaking to his companions of the time of Jesus Birth - its a hallowed time he says - a holy time - a time in which life grows still like the surface of a river so that we can look down into it and see glimmering in its depths something precious , timeless , other. And also a gracious time - a time we cannot bring about. It is a time that comes upon us as grace - as a free and unbidden gift from God as we celebrate his presence amongst us. At Christmas time it is hard for even the unbeliever not to believe in something. Peace on earth , goodwill to men ; a dream of innocence that is good to hold onto even if it is only a dream ; the mystery of being a child ; thepossibility of hope .
Do you believe .........?
5 comments:
Came to yours by searching for Advent. Your welcome over to see how we celebrate in Norway:-)
I'll remember those thoughts as I'm shopping on Oxford St. tomorrow..!
i think i am beginning to believe in the possibility of that hope again. maybe. hmmm. we'll see.
you've just been invited to norway. i reiterate the oft repeated sentiment:
jammy tart!
nice phot mike .......
thanks for the invite r
mr T - life aint always fair ...am in london this weekend - catch up with you soon ....
the season is here
unfair i can deal with. disappointments, misunderstandings, incomprehension... i can get behind the god that deals in those. but cruelty is something else. and that is where my struggle lies at the minute. most of what i thought was true turns out to be bullshit and i think it will take a while and not a small amount of forgiveness on my part before i can fully embrace hope in a creator god that give his children stones when they beg for bread.
have a good time in london :)
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