December 25, 2010
“What if on Christmas Eve people came and sat in the dim pews, and someone stood up and said, ‘Something happened here while we were all out at the malls, while we were baking cookies and fretting about whether we bought our brother-in-law the right gift: Christ was born. God is here’ ? We wouldn’t need the glorious choruses and the harp and the bell choir and the organ. We wouldn’t need the tree strung with lights. We wouldn’t have to deny the painful discordance between the promise and hope of Christmas and a world wracked with sin and evil. There wouldn’t be that embarrassing conflict over the historical truth of the birth stories and whether or not Mary was really a virgin. And no one would have to preach sermons to work up our belief. All of that would seem gaudy and shallow in comparison to the sanctity of that still sanctuary. And we, hushed and awed by something greater and wiser and kinder than we are, would kneel of one accord in the stillness. A peace would settle over the planet like a velvet coverlet drawn over a sleeping child. The world would recollect itself and discover itself held in the womb of the Mother of God. We would be filled with all the fullness of God, even as we filled the emptiness of the Savior’s heart with ours.” – Loretta Ross-Gotta
I read this after picking up all the wrappings, after Santa, after putting together new puzzles, playing games, and slicing cucumbers for lunch. I stood at the kitchen window and felt a most solemn wonder over Christ’s coming. A surge of love mixed with failure, mixed with need and dependence, and I wondered. What if, instead of doing something, we were to be something special. As Ross-Gotta says, “Be a womb. Be a dwelling for God.”
I needed this small revelation today.
Merry Christmas dear friends. Merry Christmas!
Tricia
So beautiful. You have echoed my recurring thoughts this Christmas season–including the sharp and desperate feelings of failure, need and dependance that are wrapped up in the desire to BE what He is.
Merry Christmas.
meeks
Beautiful post.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
meeks
I just wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I've really enjoyed reading your blog throughout the year. Thanks for all your effort you make to put up lovely posts!
Mimi
I needed that too. Thanks for sharing.
catharvy
Tricia – your comment was beautiful – "sharp and desperate… the desire to BE what He is." You said it better than I could. Joyous Christmas to you too!
Meeks – Just left a comment at your site. Thanks for your kind words. We write but we're not sure for whom and we wonder if any of this pouring out of the soul will matter to someone besides ourselves. So your words meant much to me. Thank you.
Mimi – Merry Christmas sweet friend. I hope you and you are darling family are well!
Sarah
Beautiful. Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family!
LizzyP
What a gift for you to share that. Thanks.