Saturday Synaxis

Sweet Child of Bethlehem, grant that we may share with all our hearts in this profound mystery of Christmas. Pour into the hearts of men the peace which they sometimes seek so desperately and which you alone can give them. Help them to know one another better and to live as brothers, children of the same Father. Awaken in their hearts love and gratitude for your infinite goodness; join them together in your love; and give us all your heavenly peace. Amen.

- John XXIII

Photo of the Week

Here we know that Christ our brother 

Binds us all as by a cord: 

He was born of Mary mother 

Where the mountains praise the Lord!

- from verse 2 of the hymn "Now the Joyful Bells A-Ringing"

(Photo: Altar and artwork in the Grotto of the Nativity, Bethlehem)

Quote of the Week

"Nothing can make a man truly great but being truly good,

and partaking of God's holiness."

- Matthew Henry

Saturday Synaxis

Non nobis Domine!—

      Not unto us, O Lord!

The praise or glory be

      Of any deed or word;

For in thy judgment lies

      To crown or bring to nought

All knowledge or device

      That man has reached or wrought.

And we confess our blame—

      How all too high we hold

That noise which men call fame,

      That dross which men call gold.

For these we undergo

      Our hot and godless days,

But in our hearts we know

      Not unto us the praise.

O Power by whom we live—

      Creator, Judge, and Friend,

Upholdingly forgive

      Nor fail us at the end:

But grant us well to see

      In all our piteous ways—

Non nobis Domine!—

      Not unto us the praise!

- Rudyard Kipling

A New Christmas Hymn: The Simplicity Carol

Here's a new Christmas carol I wrote for this Advent season, focusing on the simplicity of Christ's birth, the simplicity of answering his call of salvation, and the simple stillness and peace that he offers us. It's written to the tune "Repton," which is most famous as the British tune of the old hymn "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind." You can hear my hymn sung (fittingly, in a rather poor and humble voice) by clicking on the Soundcloud player below the lyrics.

The Simplicity Carol

Be still, O bustling earth, and wait
Beneath the starry sky;
Take rest from all your restless haste
And listen for the angels' praise:
Your King is born tonight! (x2)

That starry night in Bethlehem,
The world, it looked away
From weary travelers seeking rest,
And so the One that Heaven sent
Was laid upon the hay. (x2)

In simple, homeless poverty
Creation's King was born:
Not in a palace opulent,
A refugee, an immigrant,
God takes on human form! (x2)

This Christ, who came in humble peace
While others looked away,
He still is searching longingly
For willing hearts who will receive
The offer of his grace. (x2)

You need not wealth nor fame nor works
To have this King come in;
Just rest your weary spirit in
The Savior born in Bethlehem;
Be still and welcome him! (x2)

Photo of the Week

Come and manifest the favor

God hath for our ransom’d race; 

Come, Thou universal Savior, 

Come and bring the gospel grace!

- Verse 3 of the hymn "Light of Those Whose Dreary Dwelling," by Charles Wesley

(Photo: Interior of the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem) 

Quote of the Week

“Because we believe in God, and in His Holy Spirit, we believe that difficulties will be greatly sanctified to us, and that they are only placed before us as stepping-stones to grander results. We believe in defeats, my brethren; we believe in going back with the banner trailed in the mire, persuaded that this may be the surest way to lasting triumph. We believe in waiting, weeping, and agonizing; we believe in a non-success which prepares us for doing greater and higher work, for which we should not have been fitted unless anguish had sharpened our soul. We believe in our infirmities, and even glory in them; we thank God that we are not so eloquent as we could wish to be, and have not all the abilities we might desire, because now we know that the excellency of the power shall be of God, and not of us. Faith enables us so to rejoice in the Lord that our infirmities become platforms for the display of His grace.”

- Charles H. Spurgeon, a prominent Baptist preacher in 19th-century London