And the Light shineth in darkness: and the darkness did not comprehend it. -- John 1:5
Throughout the night, the cold drew close,
And wrapped our home in shrouds of frost.
Within, four candles lent us light,
Returning to us what was lost.
Around us, all our village slept.
Our children safe, their breathing slow.
Four candles gleamed beside the tree,
Their flames burned long, burned low.
Then all fell silent round my house.
The snow shown blue, the shadows, slate.
You could almost hear the planet turn.
I stood bereft beside my gate.
Behind me, those I loved slept warm,
Protected by God's endless grace.
Below me lay the village streets,
Clad in shadow's chill embrace.
The darkness waned, the morning loomed,
Within my house the fire grew bright.
But still I walked on fragile snow,
And prayed for greater light.
As a child I'd lived in dreams of stars,
Of peace on Earth --life's golden seal--
And this night seemed, of all our nights,
The one when all such dreams were real.
Tonight I know this is not so.
The world is not as we would wish,
But as we make it, day by day,
In this, the mystery and the gift.
The candles whisper of His gift.
The stars reflect them high above.
The gift is given to us again,
That we remember how to love.
for Justine -- Mill Hill Drive, Southport, Connecticut, 1990
Posted by Vanderleun at December 24, 2012 7:52 PM
Uplifting! Thank you for another year of wit, wisdom, ingenuity, communion and entertainment. May the New Year bring more than you hope for or expect and all that you deserve.
Posted by: Frank P at December 24, 2009 2:33 AMThanks for a great years blogging...Merry Christmas from all at OTW.
Posted by: Thud at December 24, 2009 3:50 AMWhat Frank P. said.
May God Bless you and yours.
Merry Christmas.
Jim
Posted by: southernjames at December 24, 2009 4:22 AMThank you, Gerald!
The voices of these angels sang as my mother left this veil of joy and tears in October.
Merry Christmas!
Rumi, the great Persian mystic-poet, in speaking about this world. said "It's all about love, and not loving enough."
How to be loved, loving, and love -- just ask a one-year old and grok the reply. And then, do it!
A wonderful video and poem. Do love the Gregorian chant. Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you and yours, sir.
Posted by: GW at December 24, 2009 10:54 AMYou are quite welcome and the same fond wishes to you and yours and all.
Posted by: vanderleun at December 24, 2009 12:44 PMMerry Christmas.
I'm most grateful to you for posting Gloucester Choir--In the Bleak Midwinter. Watch it as a family last two years...e-mail it to friends to remind them of the Beauty.
Happy New Year & Carry On.
Excellent entry in every way.
Apropos, are you aware of the ongoing discussion regarding Jewish influence on the Gregorian chants?
http://archive.chazzanut.com/jewish-music/msg01572.html
Posted by: Roger Simon at December 25, 2009 8:22 AMMerry Christmas, Mr. V.
Posted by: Jean at December 24, 2011 8:28 AM--love the poem --thank you --
Posted by: buddy larsen at December 24, 2011 11:29 AMThere is love and peace to be found in unlikely places all over this sad and magnificent planet. Bless you, Gerard, for bringing some of it to your online friends. Now may God give us the will and the ways to share it with many, many others.
Posted by: AskMom at December 24, 2011 1:58 PMThank you again for being here, and I wish you two grand holiday weekends, and a prosperous - and I might add, strong and healthy - 2012.
Posted by: pfsm at December 24, 2011 4:41 PMMerry Christmas, Mr. V. Thanks for all that you do.
Posted by: B Lewis at December 24, 2011 7:19 PMMerry Christmas to you and yours, and thanks for sticking around to keep the most interesting blog on the web.
Posted by: GW at December 24, 2012 11:26 AMMerry Christmas and Happy New Year Vanderleun.
Best Wishes
Posted by: Grace at December 24, 2012 9:42 PM"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper N.B.: Comments are moderated to combat spam and may not appear immediately. Comments that exceed the obscenity or stupidity limits will be either edited or expunged.
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