Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Merry Christmas!

Ella with some presents last year.
whoever you are.... Why not leave a comment and say hi!

Disclosed

The ancient mysteries are made known in the babe of manger mild. The mystery was proclaimed in covenants of blood to patriarchs and kings. David wants to respond to his God by building him a house. God ironically tells him “I don’t need a house, instead I will build your house.” The word of the Lord. He is always true to his word, and on David’s throne sits the King of Kings.

Mary magnifies the Lord as that faithful doer of His word. From the patriarchs down to his lowly handmaiden he has done amazing things-things that turn the world on its ear.

The psalmist declares and discloses God’s purpose and plans for David, accepting them as fact and poetic praise.

This is the meaning of the annunciation. Just as the angel disclosed God’s purpose and favor to Mary, so he discloses his plan to those of us who will receive it.
Can we cry like Paul at the mystery revealed?

“ Now to God
who is able to strengthen you
according to my gospel
and the proclamation of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery
that was kept secret for long ages,
but is now disclosed,
and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles,
according to the command of the eternal God,
to bring about the obedience of faith

to the only wise God,
through Jesus Christ,
to whom be the glory forever!
Amen.

Sunday, December 11, 2005

Annunciation

Salvation to all that will is nigh;
That All, which always is all everywhere,
Which cannot sin, and yet all sins must bear,
Which cannot die, yet cannot choose but die,
Lo, faithful virgin, yields Himself to lie
In prison, in thy womb; and though He there
Can take no sin, nor thou give, yet He will wear,
Taken from thence, flesh, which death's force may try.
Ere by the spheres time was created, thou
Wast in His mind, who is thy Son and Brother;
Whom thou conceivst, conceived; yea thou art now
Thy Maker's maker, and thy Father's mother;
Thou hast light in dark, and shutst in little room,
Immensity cloistered in thy dear womb.

-John Donne