Oh, like a flock in field and fold,
The wintry world lay then,
On that fair night in days of old
When Christ came down to men.
Oh, bright the light, and white the night,
When, full of favour stored,
God's Maid lay down in Bethlehem town,
To wait the coming Lord!
—Laurence Housman, "A Christmas Song."
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[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 Christmaspoem 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.]
12 comments:
It feels like a wintry world out there this morning, no warm sunrise, but I can see deer in the field. Nice to see a photo of sweet smelling Bee balm too!
Wanda…
I love the smell of bee balm. My mother used to have big bunches of it growing on either side of the front steps, and I'd always give it as brush as I passed by. Hers was about this color, but my favorite is the old-timey red.
No warm sunrise here either. But the ducks are awake, quacking loud, and have been given their breakfast.
Hi-
and no warm sunrise here either sa the gray sky and smell of snow surrounds our home - I am blessed to be safe inside. I went out early and fed the birds and other critters that abound - the naked trees are bracing themselves for the snow promised later today - I will light a fire - and write some Christmas cards - my daughter is going to the store for me to get 'stocking-stuffers'!! - and we will have some tea and treats later. I feel relaxed and secure - loved and blessed - and much more. That wade in the brook did me wonders!!:-)
Love to you and have a beautiful weekend Grizz
Gail
peace.....
Beautiful Grizz...
Gail…
Not warm or sunny here today—but no snow. I'm thinking of a fire later myself.
I'm feeling better today, eyes are doing better, too.
I'm not going to intentionally wade in the river, though.
Have a great weekend! Sounds like it's off to a fine start.
Jayne…
Thank you…I'm glad folks are enjoying these posts.
Where do you find them all, scribe?
Each one has its own special beauty.
Weaver…
I've collected Christmas and related "seasonal" books on winter folklore, the winter solstice, etc. for years. I have something well over 100—I counted them last evening out of curiosity, because someone else recently asked me how many Christmas books I had on their section of shelves. Many are big anthologies, put out between 1875–1950, and most of those have lots of poetry in them. Some pretty obscure things, too. So that's my prime source. Others come from notebooks I keep of quotes I like, poems, bits of dialog I hear, snippets of this and that, odd names of people, places, descriptions and observations, etc.
That's probably more of an answer than you needed (or wanted!) but that's where they come from. I'm really glad you enjoy them.
I love your words from "A Christmas Song"...I love anything that gives me pause for thought.
Are you feeling better...:-) Hugs
Thank you for sharing your wonderful collection, - your posts keep us on track in our mindful preparations for Christmas.
Bernie…
I'm feeling better—not well, but better. Still have a cough. But maybe that will disappear within the next few days.
Thank you for asking…
Hildred and Charles…
I'm just glad everyone seems to like this idea of an Advent countdown.
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