{"id":560,"date":"2013-12-24T16:15:01","date_gmt":"2013-12-24T23:15:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/holydwelling.com\/blog\/?p=560"},"modified":"2013-12-24T16:16:05","modified_gmt":"2013-12-24T23:16:05","slug":"sing-o-angels-heaven","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/holydwelling.com\/blog\/2013\/12\/24\/poetry\/sing-o-angels-heaven\/","title":{"rendered":"Sing, O Angels of Heaven!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Nativity\"<\/a>Christmas Eve, 2013<\/strong><\/p>\n

As the Holy Babe lies hidden amongst the tiny birds and pinecones of my Advent Wreath, preparing for His arrival at the cr\u00e8che on Christmas Eve, I find myself turning to a review of those ancient days.<\/p>\n

Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and the Galilee, and nearly all of the Mediterranean, as well as much of Western Europe and Britain lay under the yoke of Roman armies\u2014called Pax Romana<\/em> by modern historians. Yet even in this period of relative political peace, many were enslaved; disease and famine often drew near; and the various passions of temper and desire continued to rage within the hearts of humankind.<\/p>\n

And in the next few centuries, more trouble brewed: the poor became worse off, while a tiny percentage amassed wealth and power; those who were deemed \u2018other\u2019 endured scorn, persecution, and sometimes martyrdom; \u2018barbarians\u2019 began to challenge the power and influence of the empire, leading to foreign wars and increased taxation; drought, famine, and crop failures, along with soaring unemployment, led to a faltering economy and mass migrations across political boundaries. Even in the fledgling Christian Church, contemporary cultural mores and theological controversies threatened not only the unity of the Church, but even the heart of the Gospel of Christ.<\/p>\n

Well, a Christmas letter is not really the place for a history lesson, is it? Yet only a few viewings of the evening news make it all seem so very familiar. And perhaps that is as it should be, for time after time, century after century, it is into this very context of tragedy, sin, and evil that we need to hear anew the great Good News of Jesus the Christ.<\/p>\n

Born in humility<\/address>\n
becoming our flesh:<\/address>\n
Sing, O Angels of Heaven!<\/address>\n
Proclaim the birth of Christ!<\/address>\n

For only in that great mystery of the Incarnation have the shepherds of Bethlehem, the apostles and disciples of Galilee, the monks, nuns, and hermits of deserts, mountains, and forests, and countless souls\u2014men, women, children\u2014found hope, joy, peace and eternal life.<\/p>\n

May this season bring the same to each of our hearts, and thence out into the world.<\/p>\n

SING, O ANGELS OF HEAVEN!<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

A Christmas Litany<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

Born in humility,
\nBecoming our flesh:
\nSing, O Angels of Heaven!
\nProclaim the birth of Christ!
\n<\/em><\/strong>Mothers will come,
\nTo nourish a babe:
\nSing, O Angels of Heaven!
\nProclaim the birth of Christ!<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0
\n<\/em><\/strong>Fathers will come,
\nTo shelter the weak:
\nSing, O Angels of Heaven!
\nProclaim the birth of Christ!<\/em><\/strong>
\n<\/em><\/strong>Children will come,
\nTrusting, unafraid:
\nSing, O Angels of Heaven!
\nProclaim the birth of Christ!<\/em><\/strong>
\n<\/em><\/strong>Shepherds will come,
\nKnowing his Voice:
\nSing, O Angels of Heaven!
\nProclaim the birth of Christ!<\/em><\/strong>
\n<\/em><\/strong>Royalty will come,
\nTo adore the true King:
\nSing, O Angels of Heaven!
\nProclaim the birth of Christ!<\/em><\/strong>
\n<\/em><\/strong>Servants will come,
\nTo serve at His Throne:
\nSing, O Angels of Heaven!
\nProclaim the birth of Christ!<\/em><\/strong>
\n<\/em><\/strong>Sinners will come,
\nTo weep at His Feet:
\nSing, O Angels of Heaven!
\nProclaim the birth of Christ!<\/em><\/strong>
\n<\/em><\/strong>Mourners will come,
\nSeeking the Light:
\nSing, O Angels of Heaven!
\nProclaim the birth of Christ!<\/em><\/strong>
\n<\/em><\/strong>Prisoners will come,
\nLonging for freedom:
\nSing, O Angels of Heaven!
\nProclaim the birth of Christ!<\/em><\/strong>
\n<\/em><\/strong>Priests will come,
\nTo lift bread and wine:
\nSing, O Angels of Heaven!
\nProclaim the birth of Christ!<\/em><\/strong>
\n<\/em><\/strong>Born in humility,
\nBecoming our flesh:
\nSing, O Angels of Heaven!
\nProclaim the birth of Christ!<\/em><\/strong>
\n<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a9 2010 Susan Creighton<\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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