faith. – Prayers, Poems, and Christian Ponderings

Arrival!

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a hopeful New Year. In the gospel of Matthew, chapter 2, we read of the journey of the wisemen from the east. When they actually arrived is not known, but we should not be surprised to learn that it may well have been some days or many weeksContinue reading “Arrival!”

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”

Suddenly

We lie back to back. Curtains lift and fall, like the chest of someone sleeping. Wind moves the leaves of the box elder; they show their light undersides, turning all at once like a school of fish. Suddenly I understand that I am happy. For months this feeling has been coming closer, stopping for shortContinue reading “Suddenly”

Near and Far

Today I am returning to one of my favorite poets, R.S. Thomas. (1913-2000) A man of devout faith and honest doubt. Throughout his life he experienced the proximity and the elusiveness of God. Most of his life was lived in Wales and over the years as he served as a priest in the Anglican ChurchContinue reading “Near and Far”