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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1659 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Evangelical (1977): Diverse Protestant Influences / Catholic in 1990 |
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Posted: Fri Dec 7th, 2007 04:56 pm |
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Rembrandt. Simeon with the Christ Child in the Temple.
c. 1666-69. Oil on canvas. National museum, Stockholm, Sweden
[see Luke 2:25-35 for the biblical background]
Long have I lived; my earthly end now drawing near
Waiting for the Messiah, to come deliver our land
To fulfill all our hopes and soothe ever-present fears
And rescue His chosen people by His mighty hand
We have suffered for many years, in the utmost travail
The conquering Romans our faith and freedoms deny
Yet Yahweh long ago promised that He would prevail
And bless His dear children who weep, groan, and sigh
The Spirit told me that before this world I should depart
I would see Messiah, God's Son, with mine own eyes
Thus comforted, I watched and sought, glad of heart
For the Redeemer: He Who descends from glory on high
Led by His voice I entered the great temple holy
In search of the precious babe, whose child I am
To behold righteous Joseph and humble Mary lowly
Amidst all the sacrifices of pigeons and of lambs
In a mere instant I knew in Whose presence I crept
An infant basked in glowing sanctity, and awesome light
His face glimpsed but for a moment, I rejoiced and wept
Uplifted and surrounded by pure new contentment bright
Overtaken by emotion I grasped my Lord in my arms
Profusely thanking God for blessing me in that hour
Mary and Joseph were astonished but feared no harm
I passed His blessing along to them: joy and power
But alongside the peace came a troubling message sober
Revealing what the Son was destined to pass through
By Him all could be saved when the dreadful ordeal was over
But a terrible price would be paid; this Mary already knew
I saw a fleeting sadness in her holy, beautiful face
As I spoke of a sword passing through her own heart
But of despair in the blessed Virgin I saw not a trace
God had given her the abundant grace to fulfill her part
Then the divine child intently gazed for a long time at me
As if to say, "I have willingly come to save all mankind.
My mother understands and the Father's entire plan sees.
She is the 'handmaid of the Lord', though many are blind."
Joseph embraced me, smiled, and said "God's will be done."
Mary sensed my sorrrow, and said, "His cup, not ours; let it be."
I pondered Isaiah 53 and the child's mission already begun.
And marvelled at God's mercy and love towards sinners like me.
Written on 15 December 2006.
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I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 2000+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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Intercessor
Member
| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 1238 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Dec 10th, 2007 01:00 pm |
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Dave, thanks for sharing your poem. Thanks also for including the Rembrandt. The presentation at the temple is one of my favorite mysteries.
Your poem makes me hungry to hear a good homily on the lessons to be learned from Anna and Simeon.
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"He who will persevere unto the end is not he who will never fall, but he who after every fall will humble himself and rise again, relying on the infinite strength of God." Divine Intimacy, p. 885 Father Gabriel, O.C.D.
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1659 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Evangelical (1977): Diverse Protestant Influences / Catholic in 1990 |
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Posted: Mon Dec 10th, 2007 02:55 pm |
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Glad you liked it Becky. 
I may or may not write another poem this year. I always get an idea in my head out of nowhere and then just work with it to come up with a poem. It either will happen again this year or it won't; can't be forced (like much of musical, literary, and artistic motivation). Here are my other six Christmas poems, if anyone is interested:
http://socrates58.blogspot.com/2006/12/my-six-christmas-poems-1996-2003.html
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I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 2000+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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