January article

              Saints and Seasons 

As you read this, the bright gift wrappings are long gone and most of the trees are out on the curb waiting to be recycled: the world has definitely moved on from Christmas, on to the next thing. But their Christmas is our Advent, and, for those of us who are who are liturgical Christians, for you and for me, at St David's, we are still in the middle of the story. 

Besides the ever-changing creches at home and at church I have a long tradition of “refrigerator art” which changes with the seasons. At this time of year Christmas cards from past years too precious to just throw away make their way there.  It begins with secular “Christmas,” with santas, glittery pine cones, and whimsical scenes of bringing the tree home on a sleigh through the snowy twilight.  Then, early on Christmas eve, it moves on to Mary and Joseph’s arrival in Bethlehem, searching for a place to stay, any place safe and warm. Later that evening there  is the Birth itself,  complete with shepherds and the heavenly host. 

But that’s only the first act. By Christmas day the angels have fallen silent (at least to our ears) and the shepherds have gone back to tending their sheep. For several days only Mary, Joseph and the Baby remain - the new holy family, far from home, sharing room with the animals. 

The eighth of the twelves days of Christmas is what the world calls New Year's Day. According to the Jewish tradition into which Jesus was born, a male child is circumcised and named on the 8th day, and so it was with Jesus; he was circumcised and given the name which had been told to Mary by the angel at the Annunciation.  

Jesus Name of mercy mild, given to the holy Child, 

when the cup of human woe, fist he tasted here below. Hymn 252

Before the 1979 Prayer Book, this was called The Feast of the Circumcision and now it is The Feast of the Holy Name. Both naming and circumcision is commemorated here. Maybe we’re a little squeamish about the very humanness of circumcision, but it’s an important day for a Jew, when he has inscribed on his very flesh the covenant made with Abraham. Covenant love is never painless and this was the first taste of its cost for the child Jesus. The Son of God, Jesus earthly life was bracketed by the hard steel of the knife at the circumcision and the sword piercing his side at the crucifixion. And Mary held Him through it all. 

But there’s one more change before the Feast of the Incarnation is complete for another year. On the 12th and last day of Christmas, January 6th, the wise men make their way to the creche to worship the One whose star had appeared in the east. They’d traveled who knows how far to arrive here and our last scene is of travel weary sages worshipping the Prince of Peace whom they find lying in a feeding trough. 

“When the wise men brought their precious gifts  

the infant was aware, that a far more precious gift 

was in the heart of each Wise Man there .

And tenderly He blessed them,

and today may He bless you,

Knowing that in your heart

        you make that Christmas journey too. “ 

Louise Buck 

January 2011

@ Saints and Seasons is a monthly (except for August) column written by Louise Buck for "The Gospel at Saint David's," the monthly magazine of St David's Episcopal Church, 5050 Milton St, San Diego CA.