To hear children sing and speak about the glories of the Incarnation, the coming of Immanuel, God-With-Us, is a glorious thing.
It is a reminder to young and old that the miracle of Christmas never dims, never tarnishes, and is always fresh at whatever point of life we find ourselves.
In this season of preparation, the season of the already and the not yet, it is truly good to be sharing these things with each other.
In the words from Paul's first letter to Timothy:
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.
What a joyful reminder of the timeless beauty of Christmas for all ages!
I will close with the following opportunity for growth and shared joy for our families. I recently discovered the Christmas poem below. It engages with many of the truths and relationships wrapped up in the Christmas story. I encourage each family to read this together over the coming week. Children in second grade or above should remember how to read poems together with a group; ask them for what they remember and then read and discuss.
"The Expectation of the Nations"
By Charlotte Mason
Conflict, disaster, ceased: the Earth was still
As one who holds his breath: proud souls and meek
Waited the Expectation of the Nations.
A rustle under foot when none doth move,
Peals overhead when skies are blue and high,
Warm breath on cheek when no man is in sight,--
As though by signs like these, were men perturbed:
All hearts uprose, as seas to meet the moon,
Questioning, uneasy, How t'abide the Coming?
No man could tell what he was looking for;
Each knew within himself a nameless need;
And souls, an-hungered, for appeasement cried.
Peace of Christ,
Mr. Byrd
