Tuesday, December 22, 2009

ADVENT COUNTDOWN 4

In the beauty of its breaking,
in the music of its dawn,
Like an angel chorus 'waking
when the Heavenly day is born,
Comes again the day of promise,
Comes again the Christmas morn.
Beam, bright Eastern sky in glory,
till our doubt clouds roll away;
Ring, sweet Christmas bells, the story,
ring forever and for aye,
Till our living be but loving
And our dying be but day.
—John Trotwood Moore, "Christmas Morn."
———————————
[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:

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Love the lilting lyrics in this post Scribe:

"...till our doubt clouds roll away;....
Till our living be but loving
And our dying be but day."

Oh, yes. I'm trying...truly.

Wanda..... said...

John Trotwood Moore's "Christmas Morn" poem is now a favorite. I like the simplicity of it and how at the same time it sums up all my feelings of dawn on just normal days, my favorite time.
I like his thinking of sunrise at dawn is a promise and sunset is the dying of just the day!

Grizz………… said...

Bonnie…

The meter is lilting, and carries in its swing much appeal. And yet he words go deep, I think, to the human condition—to our needs and desires.

And we're all—at best—trying. I've yet to meet a perfect person.

Grizz………… said...

Wanda…

Good writing is often deceptively simple, and I think this is a perfect example—so straightforward, yet with depth and breadth of content. A really fine poem.

I share your love of dusk and dawn…especially the latter. The colors and crepuscular light, the soft stillness, it is the world newly created and innocent, at peace, holy. I love being out at such times.

Gail said...

Hi Grizz-

Great picture - the leaves are hanging on for dear life - as we all do at times. Lovely poem - which when re-read means much more than first glance - the "promise" is so hopeful

Love Gail
peace.....

The Weaver of Grass said...

I shall miss these when Christmas arrives - but then I shall see your river again so all is not lost.
An especially wonderful Christmas to you in your new found happiness.

Grizz………… said...

Gail…

There is a surprising depth to these few verses, I think. I like them, and I'm glad you do, too.

Hope you're warm and sung—and ready to celebrate.

Grizz………… said...

Weaver…

In a way, I'll miss these daily verses, too. But I'm also looking forward to more "riverbank writing."

Thank you for all your well wishes and regular comments of support. I'm so glad you find this place worth your time—that you like what you read and see here.

Please have a wonderful Yorkshire Christmas!

Bernie said...

Simple but powerful verse....I too will miss these beautiful poems but look forward to all the future post you will share with us .... they are all wonderful to read.
.......:-) Hugs

Grizz………… said...

Bernie…

Actually, I've had fun doing these—and they probably really saved the day for me regarding posts when I was ill.

But the riverbank reports will return soon. Not that there's much news of late.

myonlyphoto said...

Wishing you a very merry christmas and happy new year. Take care, and will see you next year. Anna :)

Grizz………… said...

Anna…

Merry Christmas to you, too! Have a lovely, safe, joyous holiday!