F
Fergal
Guest
I am a little tired now of all the various Christmas gripes on the different boards about the place. Sorry my friends I know they are all probably very worthy, but I want to delve into things spiritual during this time.
I would love to see any prose, poems, readings etc. apart from the norm that you use to inspire the heart over this time. Keep the ones we know away!! Give us new material to share with one another.
I am going to treat myself and your good selves and post here a poem that has given me many hours of contemplation and many occassions of spiritual renewal. I hunger for it in these days. To you who follow suit take some time to contemplate the following wonderful poem.
It never fails to bring me wonder at each and every line therein.
It is my pleasure to present:
**‘The Nativity of Christ’ **
**by **
Saint Robert Southwell, S.J. (1562-1595)
Behold the father is his daughter’s son,
The bird that built the nest is hatched therein,
The old of years an hour hath not outrun,
Eternal life to live doth now begin,
The Word is dumb, the mirth of heaven doth weep,
Might feeble is, and force doth faintly creep.
O dying souls, behold your living spring;
O dazzled eyes, behold your sun of grace;
Dull ears, attend what word this Word doth bring;
Up, heavy hearts, with joy your joy embrace.
From death, from dark, from deafness, from despairs
This life, this light, this Word, this joy repairs.
Gift better than himself God doth not know;
Gift better than his God no man can see.
This gift doth here the giver given bestow;
Gift to this gift let each receiver be.
God is my gift, himself he freely gave me;
God’s gift am I, and none but God shall have me.
Man altered was by sin from man to beast;
Beast’s food is hay, hay is all mortal flesh.
Now God is flesh and lies in manger pressed
As hay, the brutest sinner to refresh.
O happy field wherein that fodder grew,
Whose taste doth us from beasts to men renew.
Now isn’ that just wonderful? if you want more of this Saints writings please visit: praiseofglory.com/strsxpmas.htm
I would love to see any prose, poems, readings etc. apart from the norm that you use to inspire the heart over this time. Keep the ones we know away!! Give us new material to share with one another.
I am going to treat myself and your good selves and post here a poem that has given me many hours of contemplation and many occassions of spiritual renewal. I hunger for it in these days. To you who follow suit take some time to contemplate the following wonderful poem.
It never fails to bring me wonder at each and every line therein.
It is my pleasure to present:
**‘The Nativity of Christ’ **
**by **
Saint Robert Southwell, S.J. (1562-1595)
Behold the father is his daughter’s son,
The bird that built the nest is hatched therein,
The old of years an hour hath not outrun,
Eternal life to live doth now begin,
The Word is dumb, the mirth of heaven doth weep,
Might feeble is, and force doth faintly creep.
O dying souls, behold your living spring;
O dazzled eyes, behold your sun of grace;
Dull ears, attend what word this Word doth bring;
Up, heavy hearts, with joy your joy embrace.
From death, from dark, from deafness, from despairs
This life, this light, this Word, this joy repairs.
Gift better than himself God doth not know;
Gift better than his God no man can see.
This gift doth here the giver given bestow;
Gift to this gift let each receiver be.
God is my gift, himself he freely gave me;
God’s gift am I, and none but God shall have me.
Man altered was by sin from man to beast;
Beast’s food is hay, hay is all mortal flesh.
Now God is flesh and lies in manger pressed
As hay, the brutest sinner to refresh.
O happy field wherein that fodder grew,
Whose taste doth us from beasts to men renew.
Now isn’ that just wonderful? if you want more of this Saints writings please visit: praiseofglory.com/strsxpmas.htm
. . .
