Tuesday, December 31, 2013

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.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you SO much, Fr. Gunter. Steve Curtis Chapman's song in particular left me speechless.

Blessed is the Incarnate Lord of the Dance who wonderfully created and yet more wonderfully restores the dignity of our human nature.

ealowe said...

I love the song "Tomorrow shall be my dancing day." And by reminding me of it, you helped me find my sermon for today. Thank you!