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Advent: 24th December: Heaven and earth joined together
Posted Friday 24 December 2010
Gerard van Honthorst
Opening prayer
Bless to me, O God, The earth beneath my foot, Bless to me, O God, The path whereon I go. Garmina Gadelica
The story continues…
At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed. Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told! (Luke 2:13-20)
Silence and Imaginative exercise
The Christ, God himself, is within reach. Heaven and earth are joined, as is right. They are joined in the form of a baby, in the person of Jesus. Angels and shepherds together revel. The sheepherders let loose! What an image. And like Mary, all these things, of heaven and earth, are held together within our very lives.
Closing Blessing
Be a bright flame before me, Be a guiding star above me, Be a smooth path below me, And be a kindly shepherd behind me, To-day, to-night, and for ever. Garmina Gadelica To print out a pdf copy click here.
