Therefore, it is always Advent, always Spring: The life and birth and death and resurrection of Christ always goes upon earth, an unending circle of light.
Because even now, and always, the fiat is uttered, and the love of the spirit of life is consummated in the Child Bride; the earth is continually made new; we are continually born again.
This is what really matters most of all to everyone:
THE POWER TO BE MADE NEW.
Not simply beginning again, dragging along with old scars, the old crippling wounds, the old weakness dragging at the will; limping with the weariness of yesterday, sore with the heartsickness of the last defeat, bitter with the still smarting grievance against one another.
Not that, BUT REAL NEWNESS, BEING BORN AGAIN.
A new will, a new heart, new vision, new love- indeed, NEW LIFE.
Even in natural things, it is newness that gives us most delight:
daybreak, morning in Spring. These seem to us like promises from Heaven, promises of our own renewal.
"I WILL GIVE YOU THE MORNING STAR."
To be born again: THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT CHRIST HAS PROMISED TO US; NOT ONLY ONCE, BUT JUST AS OFTEN AS OUR INNER LIFE GROWS OLD AND JADED AND DIES.
But newness, flowering Spring, shadowless morning, are not born of what is decaying, corrupt, and fetid.
THEY ARE BORN ONLY OF VIRGINITY, VIRGINITY WHICH IS NEWNESS, VIRGINITY COMPLETE AS FIRE AND WATER.
The only virginity like that is the virginity of Our Lady; it is through this virginity that the earth is made new, THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS WED TO HUMANITY.
Through Mary of Nazareth Christ is born again and again in the individual heart.
"Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus," the little children say. And they do not understand what they say. But as they grow older, with the angel's prayer in their hearts, they begin to understand that this 'fruit' is the
LIFE OF CHRIST BORN AGAIN IN THE WORLD-ALWAYS, EVERYWHERE.
Our Lady is in heaven.
On earth the breath of spirit is stirring the young green corn. The song of the shepherd is heard in lambing time.
In heaven, the MUSIC OF THE INCARNATION IS UTTERED ETERNALLY IN ITS FIRST SIMPLICITY.
The mother has found the lost child.
The empty chalice is brimmed with wine.
The reed is filled with infinite music.
The Divine little bird is in his nest.
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TODAY'S BLESSED MOMENTS:
*A little boy (Sam) running hurriedly in his socks to check on a wayward cow
*The first snowflakes of the year
*candles in my kitchen, tea, Christmas music and lights
*Talking to my dear husband on the phone
*reading the Bird's Christmas Carol to the children while cuddled up in bed
*hearing Will (the oldest) tell (Anna) the youngest, after putting her overalls on for her, that "I used to wear these overalls when I was little, too."
*dancing to Christmas music, excited about the parade tomorrow :)
