~ Christmas ~
Deep peace of Christ
the light of the world to you
“I will hold the Christ Light for you in the nighttime of your fear. I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear.” *
Throughout Advent we practicedย visio divina, a prayer of contemplative meditation. The prayer invites beholding. When we focus on art and music to help us encounter holy presence, we may find a sacred presence shining through and beyond the words and images.ย
Each week of Advent, the music of “A Gaelic Blessing” arranged by John Rutter guided us. And the visual art of pastoral artist, Julia Goldie Day inspired our vision.
On this Christmas morning, the holy draws near, shining the light of Christ into the world and into our lives. May we know this deep peace, not as an absence of conflict, but as a deeper connection and presence, spilling into our hearts and overflowing to the wider world.
The Prayer
The prayer of lectio divinaย follows a pattern of Read, Reflect, Respond, and Rest. Building on this pattern of prayerful attention, I suggest for visio divina: Listen, Look, Love, and Live.
During the first week of Advent, we explored the phrase, “deep peace of the running wave to you.” And in the second week of Advent, we prayed guided by the phrase, “deep peace of the flowing air to you.” In the third week of Advent we prayed grounded in the image of the “deep peace of the quiet earth to you.”ย The fourth week of Advent we prayed for the moon and start to pour their healing light on us.
For Christmas morning and Christmastide (the days that follow), I encourage you to set aside time for meditation each day. Listen, Look, Love, and Live. Let the light of Christ shine peace into your life and the life of the world.ย
Listen
A Gaelic Blessing, John Rutter
A live performance of John Rutter’s A Gaelic Blessing, given in Lisbon Cathedral on Saturday 1 July 2022.
Listen to A Gaelic Blessing sung by the Cardinal Vaughan Schola Cantorum. Allow the art by Julia Goldie Day and the music together draw you into sacred space of light and life and deep peace.ย
What do you hear with the ear of your heart?
Look
Find the Christmas art installation here. Make it full screen to take it in fully.
Look at the painting โFrom His Root A Bud Shall Blossomโ by Julia Goldie Day. And continue beholding it after the music ends, allowing yourself a time of silence and deep, prayerful attention. In that time of reflection and attention, let yourself encounter the light that fills Godโs creation.
What do you sense in and through the image of the prayer? ย How does the light of Christ’s love and peace shine through and beyond the words, images, and thoughts, to speak to you?
Love
Pray your loving response by writing in a journal, speaking, singing, or humming, or with silence by simply breathing.ย
Love God who created you and wants to shine holy, loving, peace-bearing light into your life. Breathe in the healing light of this sacred time and place, opening to wonder and joy, knowing you are beloved by God. Breathe out love returning life to the One who gives you life. Love the One who is the source of all light and life.
How will you embrace healing light shining on your face this morning? How will you pray with love joining the light and peace of God’s presence?
Live
Live your life this week with a sense of belovedness, healing, and deep peace. Step outside on each morning, knowing the bright light of Christ’s presence is enlivening the world around you.ย
How can you allow God’s healing love and power pour over you, reassuring you that you are beloved, upheld, and sustained in every moment this week?
Deep peace of Christ the light of the worldย to you.
The Artย
by Julia Goldie Day
โFrom His Root A Bud Shall Blossomโ
8โx8โ oil on wood panel ($250)
Deep peace of Christ the light of the worldย to you.
Jesus was born so that the garden will be restored, and the desert will bloom. โBut a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.โ – Isaiah 11:1 (NABRE)
A blossom is hope. This deep peace of Christ, the light of the world, the hope of the world is come. Christ is come.
More from the artist on โFrom His Root A Bud Shall Blossomโ by pastoral artist, Julia Goldie Day.
The Pastoral Artistย
In order to learn more about pastoral artist Julia Goldie Day, visit her website for more information and a gallery of her paintings.
Read her Advent series for Baptist News Global: Mary Christmas: The Blood of Advent. In her BNG series, you will see Advent through the eyes and body of Mary.
*“The Servant Song” by Richard Gillard.
