Music is and has always been one of the main ways I worship and connect to God. Music is also dear to me because of the friends and family that are in my life because of our connection to music. When I get to sing old familiar carols, the choral parts of the Messiah, or many of our anthems, the words or the tune help me to focus on the message of the season. My voice may fail me, but I’m grateful for the music I can carry in my head and in my heart.
The anthem for December 5th will be The Winter Rose by J.M. Martin. The words speak of the gift God gave each of us in the form of Jesus. (The words will make more sense when you hear the music, too.) Here are the words:
In the silence of the winter while stars shown high above,
God sent from heaven’s garden, a Rose to show His love.
It opened in the dark of night while the world was fast asleep
So perfect was its beauty it made the heaven’s weep.
The angels paused to wonder upon that winsome sight
And kings and shepherds gathered to worship in its light
They all breathed in its beauty, a precious sweet perfume
And in the bleak midwinter, the Rose began to bloom.
O let us now remember when God put on the thorn
And Love restored the garden and the Winter Rose was born.
Oh, Love restored the garden and the Winter Rose was born.
Joseph M. Martin (2000)
I think it is especially thought provoking that even at the birth of Jesus we are asked to remember the suffering (the thorn) of Jesus’ last days. It seems that God is asking us to accept the whole package – pain and suffering wrapped in joy, peace and love.
The verses in today’s scripture reading are in Jesus’ own words and describe the ultimate end of time. I don’t think I understand them any more today than when I first heard them. We have all manner of technological inventions to keep us informed and connected. Scientists can predict the path of a hurricane, the eruption of a volcano and the functions of each human gene. But I continue to struggle with the same old mysteries: “What’s my purpose?”, “What’s it all about?”, “What are we here for?”
With all our knowledge and skills we are still limited, finite humans. Thankfully, Jesus does not ask us to understand. He asks us to “watch,” to “be ready,” to “believe it will happen.” The journey that we agree to take as we “watch” will not be easy, but we do not walk alone. Jesus, sent by God to live among us, was LOVE in the flesh. This LOVE fulfilled God’s purpose.
We may not truly understand these scriptures and the part we might be required to play, but we can accept the amazing miracle of the Love packaged in the form of the Baby Jesus. Let the miracle come to you in whatever form fits you the best. Maybe it’s a carol, or an anthem, or maybe a story, or a part of the scriptures, or even holiday decorations or possibly some connection made with another person. It doesn’t matter to God as long as you open your heart to receive the gift !!
Prayer: Open my mind, my heart, my eyes and ears, Oh God. Fill me with the music of the season. Help me to find the best way to accept your ultimate Gift of LOVE. AMEN
Chyrl Budd