….and Expectant.
I do hope your Christmas has had a little touch of Eternity in among the rush and pitter and patter and all. It always seems such a mixing of this world and the next- but that after all IS the idea.
– Evelyn Underhill
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear…As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
– Luke 1
and so to the late Jim Cotter’s Expectant:Verses for Advent, Cairns Publications, based round but expanding on the traditional Advent ‘O’ Antiphons, which I’ve often used for my own reflections. As the late Derek Jay says in his review of this beautiful little book, “it’s a blessing for those of us who are jaded from too much traditional liturgy over too many years.” Here’s Jim’s verse for 5th December:
O come, O come, thou David’s key,
unlock the gates and set us free.
Descendant of the king of old,
release us from oppression’s hold.
Rejoice! Rejoice! In words that sing
true liberty shall soon take wing.
I’d love to hear about your favourite Advent and Christmas reading. Do share in the comments.
And E for Early Riser….
Indeed!