All Saints' Parish Church, Leamington Spa
  • Home
  • Worship & Music
    • Service Schedule >
      • Sermons
    • Late Worship
    • Music List
    • Choir >
      • Recordings of the Choir
      • Choral Scholarships
      • Carol Singing
    • Organ >
      • Organ Specification
      • Organ History
      • Organists
    • Music Department
  • About All Saints
    • Vision
    • History & Heritage
    • Staff
    • Nightlight
    • Bell Ringers
    • Find Us
  • Friends
  • What's On
    • Bank Holiday Organ Recitals
    • Events Photo Gallery
  • Coffee Shop
  • Get Involved
    • Making a Donation
    • Repairs
  • Contact Us
    • Prayer Requests
    • Christenings/Baptisms
    • Weddings
    • Confirmation
    • School Visits
  • Blog
    • PCC Journal
    • Annual Report

The Treasures of Darkness

3/12/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Advent is surely the most atmospheric of all the seasons: austere yet paradoxically rich, and bursting with vivid imagery. We don't always take the time to ponder and plunder its wealth, but when we do meditate on its themes, new depths are opened up within us.

Those who came to the beautiful and moving Advent Carol Service on Sunday with attentive hearts may have taken away some particular treasure to reflect on. The phrase which struck me came from one of the Bible readings, 'I will give you the treasures of darkness' (Isaiah 45.3). I've been turning it over in my mind, wondering how it might be interpreted in poetic terms. You can read my initial ideas below.

But our response to the presence and word of God doesn't have to be in words. It can take many other forms too. Our creativity might be released through art or sculpture or music - expressing the inexpressible through what is abstract, and doing so perhaps for the benefit of others as well as for ourselves. Or it might be that we've been wrestling with one of life's complex and perplexing issues, and suddenly things fall into place and disclose meaning as we still ourselves and listen for God's voice. Perhaps best of all, we may find the inspiration to walk more steadfastly along the road of faith, strengthened in our inner being.

The Treasures of Darkness

And Mary sang, 'Dark hill, snow-still, ice-chill: fulfil
Creation's call; stump, shoot; new life instil;
Your buried grain in vain contain, constrain;
Let life resurge, and hundredfold remain.'

And Mary sang, 'Dark night, sin-plight; angelic flight;
Word, once unheard, occurred; not bird
Of Spirit-wing, beak'd leaf, dove-feather:
'This is my Son', God and Man together.'

And Mary sang, 'Dark womb, dark-room, where foetal loom
Weaves fragile filigree of mortal bloom:
Cherish the Pearl of priceless worth, whose birth
Unflawed, the Lord, announces 'Peace on earth.''

(c) Christopher Wilson 2013

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    All Saints' Church, Leamington Spa
    News Blog

    Welcome to our blog - we hope you enjoy reading about what goes on at All Saints!

    Find us on facebook.
    Follow us on twitter.

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

    All Saints' Parish Church Leamington Priors and/or the blog authors retain copyright of all materials posted. Copying on a small scale for non-commercial purposes is permitted providing the copyright ownership is acknowledged. Please contact us for clarification or further details.
Cookies - Like most websites, our site uses cookies to help improve our visitor experience.  If you continue to use the website without changing your settings, we assume that you are happy with receiving cookies.  If not, click here for options or more information.