And Light triumphant breaks;
When beauty gilds the eastern hills
And life to joy awakes."
Morning hymn - see www.magnificat.com
These words are stirring and beautiful at the beginning of morning prayer. The world is softly white with inches of snow overnight and more coming down. There is a blizzard to hit in just an hour for the day, so there is no visible sun rising in the East this morning. I found this Christmas light in the bushes in front of our house to look like a rising sun... a sweet reminder of the King we are awaiting... Yet this hymn is not your typical hymn about the coming of Christ in the form of a humble helpless child...
"Not, as of old, a little child,
To bear, and fight and die,
But crowned with glory like the sun
That lights the morning sky.
The King shall come when morning dawns
And Light and beauty brings,
Hail, Christ the Lord! thy people pray:
Come quickly, King of Kings."
Yesterday the heifers found shelter out of the wind in the bottom of the pasture. Today they are allowed to be in the barn... Yes, it is wonderful and powerful and a huge lesson in humility to remember that our God came to earth in the form of a prefect helpless child, but Advent is so much more than that!!! It is the reminder that He is coming again in glory as the True King, and we had better prepare ourselves and rid all those sins that come between us and our loving and forgiving Savior, Jesus Christ! I am longing to get to the sacrament of reconcilliation now in my life - to be ready for HIM! "Safe in his shadow, armed with his promise (Robed in majesty, might and power, the Lord promises to extend his mantle of justice over all the world), let us sing songs of Joy as we await his coming in glory."
Oh, those chubby cheeks, that button nose and those dark eyes and hair - I am blessed to have a little reminder of my own precious baby girls!! After 4 of them to start our family in the midst of many losses (I thought that I couldn't carry boys)... I have a very soft place for baby girls, and little Rose Ida was prayed for so much by her grandma - calling her my little Rosebud! Now she is here to give me much JOY - "and LIFE to JOY awakes!!" Reading the Gospel for today about John the Baptist going ahead of our Lord to prepare the way... this powerful lesson emerges to truly alter the look of Christmas - baby Jesus!! "Jesus Christ was born to die on the Cross" (St Leo the Great). The winding road that Christ makes straight is the way to Calvary... The 'affection of Christ Jesus' moves us to embrace every sacrifice that prepares in us the way of the Cross. In Christ's flesh 'all flesh sees the salvation of God.' "
Sister time on a snowy winter day. Lord, we are filled to overflowing with the power and might we look for in YOU! Armed with your Truth and LIFE we are following after YOU, Your Mother Mary, all the Saints, Your Bride the Church as we are shown the WAY! We embrace our Most Cherished Cross and follow after YOU as we look only to YOU. We are so blessed to have so many surrounding your Throne and adoring you in Glory. So many that are there to show us a more perfect and selfless way to LOVE and serve all those in our domestic Church/family,and our neighbors as ourselves! "The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with JOY."
Psalm 126:3 (I am closing my eyes and imagining the sound of all the men's voices as they sing this psalm today at mass at the seminary!) How I love to rejoice and thank you, Lord, for all the blessings we are given through your glorious Bride, the Church! Each day is more wonderful than the one before as we follow after You and your Bride!! There is unending growth and graces as we are open to your Word and Sacraments of LIFE and LOVE and LIGHT! What JOY fills our minds, hearts and souls as we fall before your Throne of majesty and might! Come. Lord Jesus, and show us the path to your Cross/LIFE. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Halleluia
Bless-bless, Barb
"Brothers and sisters: I pray always with JOY in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the Gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Jesus Christ. And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the first fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God."
Stunningly stirring words from St Paul to the Philippians in the second reading at mass today... 1:4-6,8-11 Who better to share in perfect words the Truth?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAWeHo8E70E Casting Crowns - If we are the Body
Lord, may we serve YOU with our lives!
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