Contemplative Haven

A couple of years ago, in a post called Synchronicity (I copied and pasted the comments over here from the old site), I spoke of Julia Cameron and her book “The Artist’s Way”.  Recently in the library I spotted another of her books, entitled “Blessings.  Prayers and Declarations for a Heartful Life”.  Here is one that I’d like to take to heart for the New Year:

Divinity is my true nature.  I am a soul among souls.  I intersect those people whom I am meant to meet.  Our paths cross by divine providence, not by chance or misdirection.  We are blessed in our connection.  Knowing this, I encounter all I meet with curiosity and gracious hospitality.  I open my heart to receive them and I open my mind to acknowledge the insights and information which they bear.  In every encounter, I respond and react from a position of curiosity and kinship.  My heart is not closed.  My heart is not defended.  I am an equal among equals, a learner among learners, a friend among friends.  As I seek, I too am sought.  I am drawn to the people who best companion me.  The people I best companion are drawn to me.  My heart is secure in its divine origin.  Resting in that security, I meet all souls with the recognition of their godhead, their divine spark, their dignity.  Extending myself in compassion and companionship, I journey through the world with a tender and a welcoming heart.  I bless this world and it blesses me in return. 

H A P P Y      N E W      Y E A R!

From:  Julia Cameron, “Blessings.  Prayers and Declarations for a Heartful Life”, from the declaration entitled “My Heart Knows Its True Name”, pgs. 63-64

Anuna: Noel Nouvelet

Direct to YouTube for this video is here.

NOEL NOUVELET
(Traditional French)

1
Noël nouvelet, Noël chantons ici.
Dévotes gens disons à Dieu merci.
Chantons Noël, pour le roi nouvelet
Noël nouvelet, Noël chantons ici.

2
Quand je m’éveillai et eus assez dormi.
Ouvris les yeux, vis un arbre fleuri.
Dont il sortait un bouton merveilleux,
Noël nouvelet, Noël chantons ici.

3
Quand je le vis, mon coeur fut réjoui,
Car grand’ beauté resplendissait en lui.
Comme un soleil qui luit au matinet.
Noël nouvelet, Noël chantons ici.

4
D’un oiselet bientôt le chant ouïs,
Qui aux pasteurs disait: Partez d’ici.
En Bethleem trouverez l’agnelet
Noël nouvelet, Noël chantons ici.

5
En Bethleem, Marie et Joseph vis.
L’âne et le boeuf, l’enfant couché au lit.
La crèche était au lieu d’un bercelet.
Noël nouvelet, Noël chantons ici.

6
L’étoile y vis qui la nuit éclaircit.
Qui d’Orient dont elle était sortie
En Bethleem les trois Rois amenait,
Noël nouvelet, Noël chantons ici.

7
L’un portait l’or, l’autre la myrrhe aussi,
L’autre l’encens qu’il faisait bon sentir.
Du Paradis semblait le jardinet,
Noël nouvelet, Noël chantons ici.

8
Quarante jours la nourrice attendit
Entre les bras de Siméon le rendit,
Deux tourterelles dedans un paneret.
Noël nouvelet, Noël chantons ici.

9
Un prêtre vint dont je fus ébloui,
Qui les paroles hautement entendit,
Qui les mussa dans un petit livret.
Noël nouvelet, Noël chantons ici.

10
Et si me dit: Berger, crois-tu ceci ?
Si tu y crois au Ciel seras ravi,
Si tu n’y crois, va d’enfer au gibet.
Noël nouvelet, Noël chantons ici.

11
Quand Siméon le vit, fit un haut cri:
Voici mon Dieu, mon sauveur Jésus-Christ,
Voici celui qui gloire au peuple met.
Noël nouvelet, Noël chantons ici.

12
En trente jours fut Noël accompli,
Par douze vers sera mon chant fini,
Par chacun jour j’en ai fait un couplet.
Noël nouvelet, Noël chantons ici.

From St. Faustina’s Diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul:

532     After Holy Communion, I saw the Lord Jesus, who said these words to me:  Today, penetrate into the spirit of My poverty and arrange everything in such a way that the most destitute will have no reason to envy you.  I find pleasure, not in large buildings and magnificent structures, but in a pure and humble heart.

533     When I was by myself, I began to reflect on the spirit of poverty.  I clearly saw that Jesus, although He is Lord of all things, possessed nothing.  From a borrowed manger He went through life doing good to all, but Himself having no place to lay His head.  And on the Cross, I see the summit of His poverty, for He does not even have a garment on Himself.

Child of the Poor / What Child is This?

Direct to YouTube for this video is here.

Thank you, Pia, for sharing so much of Etty with us in your “Sunday Mornings with Etty” posts. I hope to see this play someday.

Direct to YouTube for this video is here.

Gordon                                                Sarah

The lamp is burning low upon my table top
The snow is softly falling
The air is still in the silence of my room
I hear your voice softly calling

If I could only have you near
To breathe a sigh or two
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
Upon this winter night with you

The smoke is rising in the shadows overhead
My glass is almost empty
I read again between the lines upon each page
The words of love you sent me

If I could know within my heart
That you were lonely too
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
Upon this winter night with you

The fire is dying now, my lamp is growing dim
The shades of night are lifting
The morning light steals across my windowpane
Where webs of snow are drifting

If I could only have you near
To breathe a sigh or two
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
Upon this winter night with you
And to be once again with you

* * * * * * * * * * * *

“O lamps of fire!
in whose splendors
the deep caverns of feeling,
once obscure and blind,
now give forth, so rarely, so exquisitely,
both warmth and light to their Beloved.”
St. John of the Cross, The Living Flame of Love, Stanza 3