The Twelve Days of Christmas: Day 9
January 2
Reflections for the Twelve Days of Christmas
Day 9: ‘Nine Ladies Dancing’
Dear Faithful in Christ,
Grace and Peace to you. Follow me on this ninth day of Christmastide reflections.
Day NINE: The action of dancing suggests another movement of fluidity as I noted for the swimming swans on day seven. In this case though, I perceive dance as an activity of partnership. The term perichoresis was coined by fourth century Saint Gregory of Nazianzus to describe how Christ’s two natures of humanity and divinity are one in the other. Later, this term was also used to describe the ‘mutual indwelling’ of the three Persons of the Trinity as a sort of eternal dance.
Perhaps there is a fluidity, we might glimpse, of the Holy Spirit at work through us. We should find it in the Sacraments and may recognize it in the fruits of the Holy Spirit we find embedded in our hearts – hopefully for more than just occasionally.
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
These fruits of the Holy Spirit sometimes feel as though they come and go. We might feel them take root and then slip through our fingers like water. These are not virtues earned by others or taken by superiority. These are qualities that come from within one’s own heart and soul. If we intentionally allow these virtues to take root, then those things we thought anchored in our minds will become the liquid to flow out of us.
May we continue to make room in our hearts each day, such that the Lord’s Presence and Spirit flows in and may remain so long that an indelible and holy mark is left upon us.
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam,
Fr. Michael
A Collect for Quiet Confidence
The Book of Common Prayer, 832
O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
