What Child is This?

What child is this who laid to rest
on Mary`s lap asleeping
whom angels breed with anthems sweet
while shepherds watch our keeping

This, this is christ the king
whom shepherds guard and angels sing

Haste, haste'll bring him laud
the babe the son of Mary

So bring him incense, bring him gold
come plesant king to him
The king of kings salvations brings
let loving hearts enthrone him

Raise, raise the son on high
the virgin sings a lullaby

Joy, joy for Christ is born
the babe was son of Mary

What child is this who laid to rest
on Mary`s lap asleeping
whom angels breed with anthems sweet
while shepherds watch our keeping

Raise, raise the son on high
the virgin sings a lullaby

Joy, joy for Christ is born
the babe was son of Mary

We sang this at mass tonight along with a hand full of Christmas carols. Man, we butchered "Away in the Manger". The pianist had the wrong tune going with it. And there were two versions of "What Child is This?" being sung at the same time. It was a joyful noise alright.

The holidays are hard for me. When I see the advertisments and view the movies about families gathered together it reminds me how dysfuctional mine can be. But see that's me comparing what I have to what others have. It's comparing my insides to someone else's outsides. While it's true that my family does not resemble a Rockwell painting or a Hallmark card, it does have its good points. We are loyal to each other to a fault and quick to forgive.

This year I want to focus on why we have Christmas in the first place. It's been a long time since I've done that.

I also take the time to acknowledge my blessings, to honor my Higher Power.

I have a stronger relationship with my God.
I have a spiritual home and I am welcomed.
My family wants me in their company. They seek me out.
I have fewer friends than before but they seem to be more solid friendships.
I have food to eat. My refrigerator is not overflowing but I have enough for now.
I have clean clothes to wear.
I have a telephone, a cell phone, and the internet so that I might be able to communicate with family and friends, ask for help or be of help.
I have heat and electricity.
I have cable.
I now have a DVD player for those nights when I can't find anything on cable to watch.
I still have a truck. That in itself is amazing.
I keep at least 1/4 tank of gas in it at all times. It seems to stretch a lot longer than the full tank used to.
I have a bike as an alternative form of transportation.
I have two legs that work so that I might pedal that bike or walk if I need to.
I have two cats for companionship so that I do not have to seek out others.
I have my self-esteem back. I no longer feel lost and less than a person.

I am immensly blessed.

Tonight the priest spoke about the night Jesus was born. He said it was anything but a silent night because Jesus was born into a war torn country. There was poverty and oppression everywhere. It was anything but calm. That got me to thinking about what my perpetual calendar had to say and all that has happened this year.

"Listen to the voice inside you...
it knows your dreams
and your endless possibilities."

What if the angel's herald was an internal voice? What if instead of hearing crystal clear angelic voices in a silent night, what they really heard was a quiet, still chorus of voices inside themselves? In that case another song makes more sense to me. The miracle of an angelic host appearing and singing would startle anyone. Those shepherds probably thought that they were losing it. They probably turned to each other and asked, "Do you see that? Did you hear that?" That would be human instinct. Just like when I heard my inner voice back in May. I questioned it, I argued with it, and yet I still followed.


Do You Hear What I Hear?

Said the night wind to the little lamb,
Do you see what I see
Way up in the sky, little lamb,
Do you see what I see
A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,
Do you hear what I hear
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,
Do you hear what I hear
A song, a song, high above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea

Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king,
Do you know what I know
In your palace warm, mighty king,
Do you know what I know
A Child, a Child shivers in the cold
Let us bring Him silver and gold
Let us bring Him silver and gold

Said the king to the people everywhere,
Listen to what I say
Pray for peace, people everywhere!
Listen to what I say
The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light