One of my favorite Christmas poems is "The Burning Babe" by Robert Southwell (1561-1595).  Southwell was a Jesuit priest during the time of intense religious-political conflict in England.  He was martyred in 1595.  Most of his poems were written from prison.  This poem is an strange, extended metaphor in which the baby Jesus is likenedContinue reading "The fiery Babe"

Isaiah 40:3 says, "A voice cries out: 'In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.  Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.  Then the gloryContinue reading "Transparency … A rare Advent gift"

Philospher Peter Kreeft says:"The whole material universe is a maternal universe, a Great Mother, a womb.  Its basic law, from  galaxies to guppies, is growth, evolution, a purposive change.  Like a womb, it is not for itself or its own survival.  It eventually grows old and dies.  Its purpose is to mother a child.  TheContinue reading "Wombs within wombs"

"You, too, must keep watch!  For you do not know when the master of the household will return -- in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak.  Do not let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning.  I say to you what I say to everyone:  Watch for him!"  Mark 13:35-361. Continue reading "Always keep watching"

In his classic "The Imitation of Christ," Thomas a Kempis says, 'Enjoy being unknown and regarded  as nothing.'  Regarded as nothing?  For a guy for whom being liked is a high value that ain't easy.For me to survive without the oxygen of recognition is hard.  I like to be stroked and praised.  It's one ofContinue reading "Enjoy being unknown at Christmas"

When I was in high school my choir sang Dona Nobis Pacem during a Christmas concert.  This morning I found myself singing it.  Dona Nobis Pacem is Latin for "Give us peace."  In a Catholic mass the Dona Nobis Pacem is sung to invoke the presence of the Lamb of God."Lord Jesus, as we prepareContinue reading "Give us peace"

One of the enduring images I ponder during Advent is of Jesus the infant being sneaked in behind enemy lines as a tiny baby.  I got the image from philosopher Peter Kreeft.  No one would have thought of this strategy, says Kreeft, except the Master of the universe himself.So today's Advent thoughts are of howContinue reading "Christmas occurs behind enemy lines"

On this first Sunday of Advent we read from the Old Testament ... "The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.  For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. ... For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  The government willContinue reading "The first Day of Advent"