Saturday, December 12, 2009

ADVENT COUNTDOWN 14

Music I love -- but never strain
Could kindle raptures so divine,
So grief assuage, so conquer pain,
And rouse this pensive heart of mine—
As that we hear on Christmas morn,
Upon the wintry breezes borne.
Though Darkness still her empire keep,
And hours must pass, ere morning break;
From troubled dreams, or slumbers deep,
That music kindly bids us wake:
It calls us, with an angel's voice,
To wake, and worship, and rejoice…
—Emily Brontë, "Music on Christmas Morning"
—————————
[The word "Advent" comes from the Latin adventus, which means "coming." In the Christian church, Advent is that period of expectant waiting leading up to the Nativity of Jesus. Some prefer to think of it as a "Countdown to Christmas." If you've ever had an Advent calendar, you know that each day prior to Christmas has it own window, usually hidden behind a little flap or door, behind which is a scene or verse from the Scriptures. I thought it would be fun to take that idea and post a daily photo with a bit of text below—a stanza or two from a Christmas poem or a few lines of prose from a favorite Christmas story. The photos aren't intended to be tied with the text. Some are just ones I meant to run with a post this past year, but for whatever reason, didn't. To set these posts apart from my regular—or irregular!—ones, I've given them a different typeface and look.]

14 comments:

bobbie said...

I dearly love this poem, and your photo is so lovely.

Just two more weeks!

Wanda..... said...

Another beautiful verse to appreciate. Nature is like music to me...Loved the photo.

Gail said...

HI GRIZZ-

Lovely picture....and yes, music, sweet music. Always brings hope and soothes the heart and mind.

Love to you this Advent season and always
Gail
peace......

The Weaver of Grass said...

Emily Bronte? I am astonished that I have never come across this lovely verse before, Scribe. I wonder what you will publish on Christmas day.

Grizz………… said...

Bobbie…

Gosh, that's right…Christmas is getting really close! When I was about 10 years old, I'd be banging off the ceiling on a regular basis about now. I'm no longer that hyped—but I still get excited as Christmas approaches. And I hope with all my soul I'll never lose that excitement until the day I die.

I'm glad you liked both photo and verse.

Grizz………… said...

Wanda…

You know, I'm relieved how folks don't seem to have a problem with "out of season" photos accompanying these verses. And I'm glad you enjoyed today post.

Grizz………… said...

Gail…

Words and music have always been the two main wells nurturing my life. My first year of college was given to "applied" music, which was essentially performance music (in my case, piano) and I could have easily gone that route instead of writing. [In the end, I never finished college, but played music, did a bit of recording work, fished, got into writing, fished,…and finally outdoor adventure won. My house is stuffed with books and CDs, plus my beloved Steinway—which needs tuning, though still soothes, regardless.]

Grizz………… said...

Weaver…

Well I'm astonished you didn't know this bit of verse!

As to what I'll post on Christmas Day, I have no idea—nothing picked out already. I'm not even set on the next dozen posts—though I have plenty of material from which to choose. I tend to trust in the serendipity of the moment…or else I'm just lazy.

Bernie said...

Now that is a beautiful picuture Grizz, is it one that you took?

I have always loved Emily Bronte and am ashambed to say I haven't read her in many years so again I find myself thanking you for sharing......:-) Hugs

Grizz………… said...

Bernie…

Yup, my own photo. As far as I can recall, and without doing a post-by-post check, since starting this blog, the only illustration not mine was the cartoon heading the poem I wrote just after getting sick a couple of weeks ago.

Glad you like my butterfly…

Gail said...

HI GRIZZ-

I think it is wonderful that you are a pianist. I so appreciate music and musicians - I married one. :-) Skipp is a guitarist, pianist, singer/song writer and I play drums. I would love to hear you play.
I was so happy to learn this about you - a wonderful talent and gift.
Love Gail
peace......

Grizz………… said...

Gail…

I started out playing trumpet and cornet, switched to guitar, ended up mostly playing piano.

My parents were musical, so I came by it honest.

Gail said...

Hi Grizz-

Wow, you never cease to surprise and amaze. :-)

Love you
Gail
peace.....

Grizz………… said...

Gail…

A jack-of-all-trades and master of none! :-)