December 11, 2013
The Second Week in Advent

During our time of sharing joys and concerns during worship on Sunday, a woman I shall call Mary asked for prayers for one of her closest friends, who had just died.   After the service, I had an opportunity to talk with her privately.   She told me that her friend had been struggling with cancer for a long time.   In fact, the two of them had spent last Christmas Eve together.   She recalled that evening as being one of the strangest, and most wonderful, Christmas Eves of her life.   She was spending the night at her apartment in the city, but her normal Christmas plans had fallen through.   As she was alone, she invited her friend, who was Jewish, to come and have a simple Christmas dinner with her.  
 
The friend came, even though she was weary from the effects of her medical treatments.   As they sat together in the warm living room before dinner, the friend fell asleep.    Mary covered her with an afghan to allow her these moments of healing rest, then sat down nearby to read for the next few hours.   Quietly, Christmas Eve was celebrated in the peaceful presence of two people of different faiths who did not speak a word but experienced a different kind of holy birth.       “How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift  is given,” the great carol proclaims.  “No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him,  still the dear Christ enters in.”   So it is that simple presence, and holy silence, can be the greatest gift.

An Ancient Stable Now We Seek

(tune Her Kommer Dine Arme Smaa
“Thy Little Ones, Dear Lord, Are We”)

An ancient stable now we seek,
While noisy voices often speak,
And worldly troubles never cease
To keep our hearts from heaven’s peace.

We need your calming spirit here,
A healing presence in our fear,
Let love be comfort, strength and rest,
And every troubled heart be blessed.

Come, Lord, to us this quiet night
And fill our darkness with your light,
Let gentle silence be the space
Where we may find your birthing place.

--Timothy Haut, December 11, 2013