Joy and Wonder, Wistful Peace

Today, my friends, most of you are celebrating the Feast
thirteen days before it arrives at my table and hearth.
You have taken Pope Gregory's time machine, we have stayed
with old Caesar.

So I pray that the angels will sing joy in your heart
with the New Song of the stopping of the fiery sword
and the opening of the Springtide door.
That the Star that still shines above the Cave
will be a lamp unto your feet in a valley of castles and trials.
That the wonder of the truly Wise will assuage your mind
with childhood, and the Shepherds' humility will make you
dance again.

I am slower, a fortnight behind you,
but one day we'll all catch up. And on that day we will all
sing at the Feast and laugh at the fire, and every star
will be known by its true name, all songs will be remembered,
and all stories pieced together and understood.

The Son of God,
the Person, Only-Begotten, Who in One Hypostasis
joined His divinity to His manhood without confusion,
grant you His Peace, the Grace overflowing from perichoresis,
Co-inherence of Trinitarian sobernost, koinonia,
the principal, eternal thunder and jovial love of the Father,
and the wistful ecstasy of the Spirit that proceeds.

Through the prayers of all the saints who are the true Magi
of time, and the Shepherds of the pasture,
and of the Theotokos, Virgin Mother,
figlia del tuo figlio, O daughter of your Son,
umile e alta piu che creatura, termine fisso d'etterno consiglio:
more humble and exalted than any other creature,
fixed goal of the eternal plan:

I will meet you there, for we are in His House,
the House of Peace, the House of Bread,
in Bethlehem, the City of David,
where unto us is born this day a Saviour,
Christ the Lord.

Comments

[Deacon James]

Thank you, Father. I'm glad to tell you that Liturgy this morning was sublime, and that new calendar Nativity has been wonderful, full of both divine grandeur and, inexplicably, the silence of the humble cave. May your own celebrations be so blessed! And, may we all some day celebrate together, with joy and the fear of God, our hearts overflowing with love and gratitude.