Uncategorized – Page 5 – Prayers, Poems, and Christian Ponderings

“Solstice of the Soul”

A few weeks ago I read an article by Dennis Overbye, entitled Solstice of the Soul, regarding his pending retirement. For the past after 25 years he has been the NY Times” cosmic affairs correspondent.” He writes that “science proceeds on skepticism not certainty is arguably the most successful human activity of all time.. WeContinue reading ““Solstice of the Soul””

Just for the fun of it!

I picked it up from the library shelf – Musical Tables poems by Billy Collins. As the dust cover reads “Billy Collins puts the fun back in profundity.” He loves small poems, so today it is time to just enjoy the words and let them take you to wherever and to think whatever! I shareContinue reading “Just for the fun of it!”

“It will be spring soon, It will be spring soon-“

The words above “It will be spring soon, It will be spring soon-” seemed to shout to me this morning as I turned a few pages. They come from the middle of a poem by Philip Larkin entitled Coming. The poem itself doesn’t say much about spring or hope so I will settle for theseContinue reading ““It will be spring soon, It will be spring soon-“”

Epiphany

Although we may have sung We Three Kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse a far and enjoyed T.S. Eliot’s Magi – A cold coming we had of it, Just the worst time of year for a journey, and such a long journey. Epiphany marks the arrival of the “wisemen.” Until that moment theContinue reading “Epiphany”

Auld Lang Syne

The traditional Scottish drinking cup of friendship is called a Quaich, the word is derived from the Gaelic cuach ‘cup’. It is a small shallow bowl like cup with two handles or ‘lugs’ – a Scottish word for ears! Its origin is unknown but it has often been described as a drinking cup of HighlandContinue reading “Auld Lang Syne”

Nativity

Bethlehem, sitting on the West Bank, remains a difficult place to get to. On my first and only visit in 2008 I felt I was back in Belfast in the days of my youth in the mid 1970s. with check points and heavily armed soldiers present on every street corner. Their presence, intimidating! The photoContinue reading “Nativity”

Immensity

I turn today to John Donne (1573-1631) and his poem Annunciation which is the second of seven sonnets under the title La Corona – yes Corona (Crown) a term we lived with for the best part of three years and sadly some continue to live with the mark of the Corona Virus. Donne uses theContinue reading “Immensity”

“For years I counted hugs.”

I could not imagine an Advent season without T.S. Eliot’s poem – The Journey of the Magi Please take a moment to delight in Eliot’s poem and ponder the Wisemen’s question – were we led all that way for Birth or Death? The poem is long so I shall be brief. Perhaps what was travellingContinue reading ““For years I counted hugs.””

Kenosis – Self-emptying of God

Sadly, what I wrote this time last year seems to be the most appropriate words to post today. With one small edit I repost from last year. – The spontaneous ceasefire on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in 1914 came about as British, Belgian, and French soldiers put down their weapons and climbed out of theirContinue reading “Kenosis – Self-emptying of God”

That time of year! Three for One!

This is a week when many travel to be with family and friends at the time of Thanksgiving. For many it is a return to the place of their birth, their childhood. These places hold so many memories, Yet when we return it never looks or feels quite the same or as we expected. EvenContinue reading “That time of year! Three for One!”