In the twelve days of Christmas December 30 can also be a feast of the holy family.
Here’s John Michael Talbot (and friends) singing Of The Father’s Love Begotten.
In the twelve days of Christmas December 30 can also be a feast of the holy family.
Here’s John Michael Talbot (and friends) singing Of The Father’s Love Begotten.
While the future is ahead of us, we find ourselves facing the past; there is a comfort in focussing on what we know more certainly that bids us orient ourselves toward what has been rather than the uncertainties of what will be.
Facing the unknown and uncertain future results in us looking in a direction where we are more able to freshly appreciate the works of God rather than explain them away.
…it isn’t only death that comes from behind. The whole of the future approaches from the same direction. We like to think that we walk into it forwards – that tomorrow is somewhere up ahead of us and that, while it may be hidden by mists, we’re still at least looking the right way. But in fact the only thing before our mind’s eye now is yesterday. It’s the past we see clearly; the future we can’t see at all. And we we miss it not because of thick clouds or bad vision but because it’s 180 degrees out of sight. What will happen after this is, quite literally, aft of us. We walk into the future backwards.
Robert Farrar Capon, The Youngest Day, Mockingbird, 2019, pg 14.
Continuing through twelve days of Christmas, one text that is part of December 29 is Luke 2: 25-35, the Song Of Simeon, also called the Nunc Dimittis (from Latin ‘Now You Dismiss’). It’s also a feast day of Thomas Beckitt, but that’s not so exciting for singing about.
There are many song versions of Simeon’s Song, but I like the sound of Ordinary Time, an acoustic folk trio.
The lyrics:
Now You can dismiss Your servant in peace.
As you have promised, so you have done.
This child will make a child of me
Just before night my morning has come!
Some will say that the Lord need not come,
Holding their torches to light their own way.
But I am old, hopes have faded away
Save this one hope in my arms this day.
My eyes have seen your salvation
You are the LORD, Your lips do not lie
Promised to Adam, promised to me
My eyes have seen. Now I can die.
Words and Music (C) 2006: Ben Keyes
Question 52
What hope does everlasting life hold for us?
Answer
It reminds us that this present fallen world is not all there is; soon we will live with and enjoy God forever in the new city, in the new heaven and the new earth, where we will be fully and forever freed from all sin and will inhabit renewed, resurrection bodies in a renewed, restored creation.
mgpcpastor's blog 