No one can celebrate
a genuine Christmas
without being truly poor.
The self-sufficient, the proud,
those who, because they have
everything, look down on others,
those who have no need
even of God- for them there
will be no Christmas.
Only the poor, the hungry,
those who need someone
to come on their behalf,
will have that someone.
That someone is God.
Emmanuel. God-with-us.
Without poverty of spirit
there can be no abundance of God.[1]
Also, special thanks to Folk Angel for permission to use “O Little Town Of Bethlehem” from their album Glad Tidings – Christmas Songs, Vol. 4. If you are looking for some great Christmas records, check out their website, FolkAngel.com.
Immensity cloistered in thy dear womb,
Now leaves His well-belov’d imprisonment,
There He hath made Himself to His intent
Weak enough, now into the world to come;
But O, for thee, for Him, hath the inn no room?
Yet lay Him in this stall, and from the Orient,
Stars and wise men will travel to prevent
The effect of Herod’s jealous general doom.
Seest thou, my soul, with thy faith’s eyes, how He
Which fills all place, yet none holds Him, doth lie?
Was not His pity towards thee wondrous high,
That would have need to be pitied by thee?
Kiss Him, and with Him into Egypt go,
With His kind mother, who partakes thy woe.[1]
Special thanks to Folk Angel for permission to use “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” from their album Comfort & Joy – Christmas Songs, Vol. 3. If you are looking for some great Christmas records, check out their website, FolkAngel.com.
Happy Christmas Eve! Here is the final episode of the Advent series for this year.
This episode features the poem “The Winter Is Cold, Is Cold” by Madeleine L’Engle and concludes with a selection from the Book of Common Prayer that is often read on Christmas Day.
Also, special thanks to Folk Angel for permission to use “O Little Town Of Bethlehem” from their album Glad Tidings – Christmas Songs, Vol. 4. If you are looking for some great Christmas records, check out their website, FolkAngle.com. They are a Texas band that performs rearrangements of traditional Christmas songs. And I just found out that their latest album drops today! Right now they are offering a sale on the first five albums (42 songs) for $10 (details here).
Also, special thanks to Folk Angel for permission to use “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” from their album Comfort & Joy – Christmas Songs, Vol. 3. If you are looking for some great Christmas records, check out their website, FolkAngle.com. They are a Texas band that performs rearrangements of traditional Christmas songs. And I just found out that their latest album drops today! Right now they are offering a sale on the first five albums (42 songs) for $10 (details here).
During the last couple years one of the most popular blog posts written is about Advent poetry. So, as a special treat (to you, friends, readers and listeners), I have produced a series of audio podcasts featuring some of those poems and related literature.
The first of this new series of podcasts publishes this weekend. Hope you enjoy these special edition broadcasts from the Coffee Den!
Undeterred, I collected a few poems that are good examples of poems of the Advent and posted either web links to the poems or the poems themselves.
Each year, around mid-October the traffic to those Advent poem posts increases dramatically. By the end of the calendar year they are in the most visited posts on this blog.
This year I am considering an audio podcast production featuring readings of selected poems. Here is where I could use your help:
If you have a few minutes please take a look at a list of twelve Advent poems and let me know which is your favorite. Or if you have an Advent poem that is not listed please send me a web link or the poem for consideration.
If you are or know of a musician who would like to contribute to the audio podcast, please contact me. Specifically, I am looking for instrumental compositions.
Thanks for your support. I look forward to your feedback.
A few weeks ago I noticed that the traffic on my blog spiked due to a post I wrote a year ago: “Advent Poems (or the 12 days of Christmas poetry)”.[1] At first, I thought it was a fluke, but for weeks now many of you have visited this blog. Many thanks! And I hope the Advent Poems are a blessing and encouragement to you this year.
Also, feel free to look around and enjoy other poetry related blog posts.
Coffeehouse Junkie 