Skip to main content

Life in Greencastle - Cantata

O ye heights of heaven, adore him; angel hosts,

his praises sing;

Powers, dominions, bow before him and extol

our God and King.

Let no tongue on earth be silent, every voice

in concert ring

Evermore and evermore.

Christ, to thee with God the Father and,

O Holy Ghost, to thee

Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving and

Unending praises be,

Honor, glory and dominion, and eternal victory

Evermore and evermore.

Amen.

(Corde Natus ex Parentis, Aurelius Prudentius, 4th Century; translators, John M. Neale & Henry W. Baker, 19th Century)

Ah, the wind has been so cold – howling in from the west, like an icy-demon, stealing the warmth from our bones, slapping our faces till the blood rises to the surface, making car and street and tree stiff and ready to break. I sit in a comfortable place, looking down upon the city of Greencastle, but I can still see the cold’s effects: the salty streets, the slower motions. It is cold – so cold that when you step outside it truly does take your breath away.

But, the world will not be silent. Even the cold cannot keep a word of joy from crossing our lips, nor the carols from being sung. Soon it will be Christmas day. And we are readying ourselves, are we not?

We are driving through the winter winds to gather together. We are forming a choir of ourselves, a small band of voices and instruments and narrators. Cheryl is readying her fingers to do the obedience of art and grace. Patrick is urging the choir to expand their lungs, to raise their voices beyond themselves … to fill the sanctuary, to fill the world … to sing our faith again into a world that bears the brunt of other harsh winds.

Because all of life is a rehearsal for the coming concert,

Where every face will turn to the coming of the glory of God,

Where every man and woman and child will see with their own eyes the beauty and splendor of their King,

Where all nature and creation will fall again into harmony and chorus,

Where song will be the response and the singing will be love.

So, in the midst of the cold, come together and join the song. Take joy in those children who gather in auditoriums and in churches and in daycares to point us in the right direction with their cherub songs. Take part in the singing of carols. And listen as the choir leads you into the majesty and the mystery of it all.

Even though the cold wind blows, let no tongue keep silent. All praises to God in the highest, evermore and evermore. Amen.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Acts 2:42-47 - Questions for Reflection & Study

This past Sunday, we took a look at Luke's first summary passage in the story of Acts:  chapter 2, verses 42-47.  Here, Luke is presenting a billboard of what the Church looks like at its best.  He is trying to convince Theophilus that Christianity is worth his attention.  The early Church captures what all of us are looking for, whether we know it or not.  This is a close community that truly cares for one another, where everyone truly is seen as a brother and sister, and where no one person is considered more or less important as the other.  Needs are being met.  There is joy in their fellowship.  Take a moment to think about a time in your life when you experienced the joy and blessing of a deep, loving community?  Where was it, and what made this community so different?  What role did you play in this community? Luke tells us the disciples "devoted themselves" to four essential practices.  The Greek word for "devoted" is one that is often used in t
Post a Comment
Read more

Acts 5:1-11 - Questions for reflection & prayer

This past Sunday we looked at one of the more unsettling stories in the Book of Acts :  the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira.  As shared by Luke, this couple sold a piece of land and then proceeded to bring only a portion of the profit to the apostles - laying it at their feet for the good of the community.  However, what appeared to be their grave mistake (pun intended) was their collusion in claiming to have brought all the proceeds to the apostles when - in fact - they were keeping some back for themselves.  Peter announces first to Ananias the Lord's judgment, followed by a similar verdict being handed down to Sapphira a short time later. Seen by itself, this is a strange story, but it begins to make more sense when we see it as "part of the whole."  The story of Ananias and Sapphira comes right after we hear once again of the community's unity and generosity, including their willingness to share their own goods and resources to take care of one another (ch. 4). 
Post a Comment
Read more

Listening to Jesus

In recent years, two scenes from the Gospels keep grabbing my attention: Jesus' baptism and Jesus' transfiguration. In both instances God the Father speaks to Jesus or about Jesus (it may be the only time we hear God the Father speaking directly about Jesus). In both cases, God proclaims (and claims) Jesus as God's very own, "Beloved" Son. God the Father further announces that he is "well pleased" with Jesus. On the second occasion - the Transfiguration - God goes on to command us (the disciples) to "Listen to him." Listen to Jesus. It seems like such a fundamental and important part of what it means to be a Christian. The very idea of us being Christians is that we are taking our cues and directions from Jesus - that he is both our Lord and our Teacher. And, yet, I have noticed within myself that I don't really do this that often. Yes, even pastors struggle with this. It is much easier to be swayed by the many other voices that we
Post a Comment
Read more