~ ACCUSTOMED, CEREMONIOUS ~
 |
| Thanks to Nataliya
for this Christmas illustration |
BC – AD
This was the moment when Before
Turned into After, and the future’s
Uninvented timekeepers presented arms.
This was the moment when nothing
Happened. Only dull peace
Sprawled boringly over the earth.
This was the moment when even energetic Romans
Could find nothing better to do
Than counting heads in remote provinces.
And this was the moment
When a few farm workers and three
Members of an obscure Persian sect
Walked haphazard by starlight straight
Into the kingdom of heaven.
from Christmas Poems (Enitharmon)
see previous Fanthorpe quotation
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| Mid - Century Modern ~ Building Block Nativity
A friend writes: "My sister took the family nativity set. I got the 1950s wagon of blocks." |
Earlier this year, along with other songs and poems for the Season of Epiphany, I mentioned the carol Out of the East, long-time favorite of mine. Sometimes designated as lesser - known, but for me, its near - Medieval echoing repetition has been unforgettable, since the first time I heard it (Christmas 1973 ~ 50 years ago!) on the vintage album: Christmas With Colonel Sanders.
Out of the East
Out of the East there came riding, riding,
Three of the wisest of men.
Dust was their enemy blinding, blinding,
Even the wisest of them.
Wandering shepherds heard tell their story,
Told in the flickering firelight,
Tender light,
Ever bright Christmas night.
Far to the West was there shining, shining,
Blazing a star in the dawn;
Reverent wise men beheld it, saying
"This night a savior is born."
Into the West they went riding, riding,
Following after the star,
Over a quiet town shining, shining,
Lighting their way from afar.
Under its glory sat Mother Mary
Tenderly singing a lullaby,
Hush-a-by,
Don't-you-cry lullaby,
Into the stable came riding, riding,
Three of the wisest of men;
Gifts did they bring for that Babe in manger,
Gifts for the savior of men.
Lo! in a manger they found Him, found Him,
Bathed in the light of yon star;
Gold did they bring Him and frankincense,
And myrrh from a land that was far.
Shepherds crept in singing praises, praises;
Angels kept watch to be near to Him,
Dear to Him,
One with Him, praising Him.
Into the East they went riding, riding,
Three of the wisest of men.
Found was the Babe in a lowly manger,
Crowned was the Savior of men.
by Harry Noble, Jr. (early 20th Century)
Sung by Charley Pride
Next Fortnightly Post ~ Five Kings
Will be on Monday, January 15th ~ Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Between now and then, read
THE QUOTIDIAN KIT
my shorter, almost daily blog posts
www.dailykitticarriker.blogspot.com
Looking for a good book? Try
KITTI'S LIST
my running list of recent reading
www.kittislist.blogsppot.com
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