Joy and Sorrow in Bethlehem...and on the way

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Hymn I posted recently, “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” also reminds me of something I once read but could not today find the exact quote – I believe it was from either St. John of the Cross or St. John Paul II – something like: “…the only way to contemplate the mystery of the Incarnation is in silence.”

Researching quotes from both saints this morning, I could not find the exact quote, but I did not have time to read every reference. Perhaps someone else knows the quote and can give it exactly as it was written and the correct source. For now, I simply encourage all of us to make room in our hearts for silence as we approach the celebration of the Birth of Christ.

By God’s Grace let us enter into the silence of Mary and Joseph as they journey toward Bethlehem. Let us open our hearts to experience the joy of their expectation as well as the sorrow they experienced with Jesus in the rejection they received in Bethlehem, when there was not room for them.

 

[Dorothy]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Hymn I posted recently, “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” also reminds me of something I once read but could not today find the exact quote – I believe it was from either St. John of the Cross or St. John Paul II – something like: “…the only way to contemplate the mystery of the Incarnation is in silence.”

Researching quotes from both saints this morning, I could not find the exact quote, but I did not have time to read every reference. Perhaps someone else knows the quote and can give it exactly as it was written and the correct source. For now, I simply encourage all of us to make room in our hearts for silence as we approach the celebration of the Birth of Christ.

By God’s Grace let us enter into the silence of Mary and Joseph as they journey toward Bethlehem. Let us open our hearts to experience the joy of their expectation as well as the sorrow they experienced with Jesus in the rejection they received in Bethlehem, when there was not room for them.

I don’t know if this is the same quote, but here is a great one from St. John of the Cross:

“The Father spoke one Word, which Word was His Son; this Word He speaks ever in eternal silence, and in silence must it be heard by the soul.”

Peace and a Blessed Christmas to all,

Dorothy

 

[MariaChristi]

I don’t know if this is the same quote, but here is a great one from St. John of the Cross:

“The Father spoke one Word, which Word was His Son; this Word He speaks ever in eternal silence, and in silence must it be heard by the soul.”

Peace and a Blessed Christmas to all,

Dorothy

Thanks so much for your reply, Dorothy.

It is a great quote but not the one I was looking to find on contemplating the Mystery of the Incarnation. I think I’ll go back to re-reading my copy of the Collected Works of St. John of the Cross, which I began earlier in Advent. As I said, it could have also been a quote from St. John Paul II, anther great contemplative – I am grateful to whomever it was who wrote the words that have remained in my heart for a long time now.

It is not so important to have the exact words or even to know who said them – it is the Truth that matters and by His Grace the living of Truth, lovingly.

Blessed Christmas and Life ever-after in Him Who is our Way, our Truth and our Life!

 

[Dorothy]

<<It is not so important to have the exact words or even to know who said them – it is the Truth that matters and by His Grace the living of Truth, lovingly.

Blessed Christmas and Life ever-after in Him Who is our Way, our Truth and our Life! >>

Amen…and a Blessed Christmas to you also!