‘Reading the Season’ is my Christmas post every year. It’s always a pleasure to spend some quiet time amidst the hustle and bustle of the festivities to meditate on the essence and meaning of the Season. Yes, something like the perennial “A Charlie Brown Christmas”.
In recent weeks, one of my previous ‘Reading the Season’ posts has seen particularly high traffic, and that’s where I selected a few of Madeleine L’Engle’s poems. Indeed, the brilliant L’Engle had given us more than just A Wrinkle in Time. The versatile writer had 63 publications to her credits.
My favourite of her works is The Crosswicks Journal series. In there is the alchemy of wisdom, experience, and faith. Rereading Book 3 The Irrational Season this time, I came upon this verse which I didn’t notice much before. But this year’s different, for there’s a newborn in the family.
Here’s L’Engle’s short intro before the poem:
“When I wrote the following lines I thought of them as being in Mary’s voice, but they might just as well be in mine––or any parent’s.” (p. 115, The Irrational Season)
Now we may love the child.
Now he is ours,
this tiny thing,
utterly vulnerable and dependent
on the circle of our love.
Now we may hold him,
feeling with gentle hands
the perfection of his tender skin
from the soft crown of his head
to the sweet soles of his merrily kicking feet.
His fingers softly curl
around one finger of the grownup hand.
Now we may hold.
Now may I feel his hungry sucking at my breast
as I give him my own life.
Now may my husband toss him in the air
and catch him in his sure and steady hands
laughing with laughter as quick and pure
as the baby’s own.
Now may I rock him softly to his sleep,
rock and sing,
sing and hold.
This moment of time is here,
has happened, is:
rejoice!
Child,
give me the courage for the time
when I must open my arms
and let you go.
**
And oh what letting go it was for Mary that day at the foot of a cross, that ultimate letting go, and with it, the awakening which must have brought her back to that first night when she gave birth in the manger.
***
Above Photo Credit: Diana Cheng. An evening view from Ontario’s Point Pelee National Park, September, 2018.
Past Reading the Season Posts:
2020: Jack by Marilynne Robinson
2019: A Hidden Life, a film by Terrence Malick
2018: A Verse from Madeleine L’Engle
2017: A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle
2014: Lila by Marilynne Robinson
2013: Poetry by Madeleine L’Engle
2012: Surprised by Joy by C. S. Lewis
2011: Walking on Water by Madeleine L’Engle
2010: A Widening Light, Luci Shaw
2009: The Irrational Season by Madeleine L’Engle
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Thank you dear Arti for this post even though it made me cry. Tender poem and what a reality. A very Merry Christmas to you!
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Thanks for stopping by the Pond all these years, Ellen. A Blessed Christmas to you and yours!
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Simply beautiful, Arti! Thanks for sharing… congratulations to you & your family! Have a very blessed Christmas & a happy, healthy & productive new year!
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Lots to explore with Madeleine L’Engle’s works. Hope you’ll have the chance to enjoy them. Thanks for your support all these years. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Yinling!
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Changed circumstances do change our sensitivity to or appreciation of different works, don’t they? L’Engle always is a good choice for Christmas, and I’ve returned again and again to The Irrational Season — the first of her books that I read.
A blessed season to you, and to all of yours!
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Thanks for your well wishes, Linda. Can you imagine ML had 63 publications to her name?! Lots to explore. Thanks for stopping by the Pond all these years and throwing in your pebbles. Really appreciate the ripples. 🙂 All best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and throughout the New Year!
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Heart melting verses…..letting them go on…..and trusting God even more with them and with ourselves. Merry Christmas, Arti, and thank you so much!!
God bless, C-Marie
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C-Marie,
Thanks for visiting and throwing in your two pebbles. Your comments are always encouraging. A Blessed Christmas to you and yours!
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Happy Christmas!
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The same to you Denise and all best wishes for the New Year!
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Merry Christmas Arti! May your celebrations be filled with love, peace and joy!
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All best wishes for the holidays to you and yours, Stefanie!
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I’ve been off the grid for a week or so, but oh, this is as real to me today as it would be on Christmas Day or any other day of the year. And yes, I can see why it is especially meaningful to you. And to me, too. Happy Rest of Holidays and a beautiful new year to you as well!
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Thanks for stopping by the Pond, Jeanie. All best wishes for a wonderful New Year, my friend! 🙂
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