That shape and pattern which is at the heart of our reality

The seventh day of Christmas comes on the cusp of the secular new year. Here is a quote from Sydney Carter:

I see Christ as the incarnation of the piper who is calling us. He dances that shape and pattern which is at the heart of our reality.

One of my favorite Christmas carols plays with the image of Jesus dancing:

 

1. Tomorrow shall be my dancing day;

 I would my true love did so chance

 To see the legend of my play,

 To call my true love to my dance;

 

Chorus:

Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love,

 This have I done for my true love1

2. Then was I born of a virgin pure,2

 Of her I took fleshly substance

 Thus was I knit to man's nature

 To call my true love to my dance.

Chorus

3. In a manger laid, and wrapped I was

 So very poor, this was my chance

 Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass

 To call my true love to my dance.

Chorus

 

And Sydney Carter himself wrote this familiar song of Jesus, the ‘Lord of the Dance’:

 

And here is one more song the plays with the image:

 

May your  2014 be full of the Dance.