The first in a series of posts from my good friends at the Centre for Public Christianity.
It would be difficult to express just how indebted I’ve become to them over the last few years and how tremendously encouraging their work continues to be.
FYI – ["Christmas Snaps" is Australian for pictures taken at Christmas time]
Christmas Snaps: Celebration from CPX on Vimeo.
Arent de Gelder 1645 – 1727
Simeon and Anna Praise the infant Jesus
oil on canvas (94 × 107 cm) — c. 1700
Museum Mauritshuis, The Hague
Simeon understood the “real meaning” of Christmas – that the manger lay under the shadow of a cross … He told Mary as much:
“And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.’” (Luke 2:34,35 – ESV)
“Only those who have been profoundly disturbed to the point of deep repentance are able to receive the tidings of comfort, peace, and joy that Christmas proclaims.” – William H. Smith 12/26/92
More from Smith here
Emily Dickinson (on the paradox of Advent)
“The Infinite a sudden Guest
Has been assumed to be –
But how can that stupendous come
Which never went away?”
thank you once again Mockingbird
Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
This season, I’ve been especially moved by the lyrics to Charles Wesley’s Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. I’m reminded of the importance of hymns in worship throughout the year, and how often we sacrifice good theology for the ephemeral feelings of much of more “modern” music. This is an unnecessary trade, and a real tragedy facing the church. Hymns like this serve as a helpful corrective in a season where it’s perhaps most crucial:
Wesley’s original version:
Hark, how all the welkin rings,
“Glory to the King of kings;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
Universal nature say,
“Christ the Lord is born to-day!”
Christ, by highest Heaven ador’d,
Christ, the everlasting Lord:
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of a Virgin’s womb!
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see,
Hail the incarnate deity!
Pleased as man with men to appear,
Jesus! Our Immanuel here!
Hail, the heavenly Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings.
Mild He lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth;
Born to give them second birth.
Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us thy humble home;
Rise, the woman’s conquering seed,
Bruise in us the serpent’s head.
Now display thy saving power,
Ruined nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join
Thine to ours, and ours to thine.
Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface;
Stamp Thy image in its place.
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in thy love.
Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the life, the inner Man:
O! to all thyself impart,
Form’d in each believing heart.
“The pure light walks the earth; the darkness, received into the heart of Deity, is there swallowed up. Where, except in uncreated light, can the darkness be drowned?”
More on uncreated light.
Domenico Ghirlandaio 1449 – 1494
The Birth of John the Baptist
fresco — 1486-1490
Museum Santa Maria Novella, Florence
An Advent Prayer for Our Children and Grandchildren
“Heavenly Father, I often forget about the other special baby promised and delivered in the Advent story: John the Baptist—the forerunner, the way-maker, the friend of the bridegroom. His birth and life are such a testimony to your faithfulness and the ways of the gospel.”
A frequent guest during Advent at SGRWebster.com, Advent Conspiracy‘s at it again this year.
Really good stuff – a helpful corrective to the absurdity that sometimes descends this time of year.
Love this version of this song. I’ve included all five verses, even though the above version only includes the first and last.
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.
Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.
What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.
- Christina Rossetti, 1872, written as a Christmas poem.
Botticelli (Sandro Filipepi) ca. 1445 – 1510
The Birth of Christ
tempera on canvas (109 × 75 cm) — 1500
Museum National Gallery, London
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isa. 9:6-7
A Prayer about Jesus’ many Advent Names and Offices
