Merry Christmas

The Maker of the Stars is Born

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. (John 1:1-5)

FIRST COMING
by Madeleine L’Engle

He did not wait till the world was ready,
till men and nations were at peace
He came when the Heavens were unsteady
and prisoners cried out for release.

He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine. He did not wait

till hearts were pure. In joy he came
to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
He came, and his Light would not go out. 

He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.

We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!

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A GIFT for YOU!

During the Twelve Days of Christmas, you can listen to the Cottage conversation “Advent Awakening” with me and John Philip Newell talking about Celtic spirituality, the Incarnation, and seeing the sacred in the world. The “picket fence” paywall has been taken down for these 12 days - so EVERYONE at the Cottage has access and can share the video with friends. The link will close at 11PM on January 5.

I hope you’ll enjoy it!

CLICK HERE to be taken to the unlocked page! Make sure to watch it this week!

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O God, who hast caused this holy night to shine
with the illumination of the true Light:
Grant us, we beseech thee,
that as we have known the mystery of that Light upon earth,
so may we also perfectly enjoy him in heaven;
where with thee and the Holy Spirit
he liveth and reigneth, one God,
in glory everlasting. Amen.
— Book of Common Prayer, 1979

“Yes,” said Queen Lucy. “In our world too, a stable once had something inside it that was bigger than our whole world.”
— C.S. Lewis, The Last Battle

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