December 24, 2012

Christmas Eve . . .actually Christmas morning, but really early.  Everything that can be done is done, the house is quiet and it's time to sleep.  I wanted to send my traditional Christmas eve poem, and so . . . here it is.  It says nearly everything I wish to say . . .

It's nice to know that some good things have not changed in 500 years, that people still are sending out love and good wishes to those they care about, that those wishes are still the same, and are not likely to change over the years.  I send this letter to you . . . history and the present come together in this moment, a moment to remember the joy of the season!

Written on Christmas Eve, 1513

I salute you.  I am your friend, and my love for you goes deep. 

There is nothing I can give you which you have not.  But there is much,

very much, that, while I cannot give it, you can take.  No heaven can

come to us unless our hearts find rest in it today.  Take heaven!

No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present little instant.

Take peace! The gloom of the world is but a shadow.  Behind it, yet within

our reach, is joy. There is radiance and glory in darkness, could we but see. 

And to see, we have only to look.  I beseech you to look!

Life is so generous a giver.  But we, judging its gifts by their covering,

cast them away as ugly or heavy or hard.  Remove the covering, and you

will find beneath it a living splendor, woven of love by wisdom, with power.

Welcome it, grasp it, and you touch the angel's hand that brings it to you.

Everything we call a trial, a sorrow or a duty, believe me, that angel's hand is there.

The gift is there and the wonder of an overshadowing presence.  Your joys, too,

be not content with them as joys.  They, too, conceal diviner gifts.

Life is so full of meaning and purpose, so full of beauty beneath its covering,

that you will find earth but cloaks your heaven.  Courage then to claim it; that is all!

But courage you have, and the knowledge that we are pilgrims together,

wending through unknown country home.

And so, at this time, I greet you, not quite as the world sends greetings,
but with profound esteem and with the prayer that for you, now and
forever, the day breaks and shadows flee away.

~ Fra Giovanni ~

So, take all those things, peace, and heaven, and joy.  The gloom of the world is but a shadow, beneath that shadow is the joy we seek, we've only to wait until the light moves round to expose it, we must be ready to seize that joy and use it for ourselves and others. And so, I greet you, not quite as the world does, but with love and respect, wishing you joy and beauty, wishing you a new vision of all there is that is lovely and sweet here and now.  Things have not changed in all the times past since this letter was written.  People still love, and hope, and search for beauty and meaning.  I wish for you all of that however you may discover it, however you may embrace all the world offers.  I hope you and your family have peace and joy for this season and all the year around.