Thursday, December 25, 2008

Храмы России




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Translation:

On the serene holiday of Christmas
Candles flare up, bells call out
The time of meeting.
Again the distant star
Points the way,
But each one seeks
His own path to the cathedral.
In cathedrals of Russia, on Christmas evening,
We are healed by the spirit of highest hope.
Cathedrals of Russia…love and redemption
And the first contact with Eternity.
In the hour of doubt and trouble you hear
Those words which were given
To us from on high.
On Christmas you open
The doors of the cathedral,.
The triumph of shining faith
Will be with us.
In cathedrals of Russia, on Christmas evening,
We are healed by the spirit of highest hope.
Cathedrals of Russia… love and redemption
And the first contact with Eternity.

I'm not sure what Christmas means to me anymore. I would say I have no faith at this time in my life. It is simply too difficult for me to reconcile the idea of a loving, omnipotent God with the suffering of good people and innocent children.

And, yet, there is something within me that is moved by the spirit of the day. Strains of certain carols stir deep emotion. The message of hope, peace, and goodwill still resonates. In the song above, I love the verse which says "Again the distant star points the way, but each one seeks his own path to the cathedral."

Perhaps I am lost, but perhaps I am simply on a very long detour or a rugged path through the wilderness or wandering in the dark of night...

1 comments:

Thom said...

I love this.

I don't think you are lost at all. The fact that you posted this and took the time to articulate your thoughts about the season are a gracious gift to us.

Sometimes we think we are lost in the woods when we are actually in a cathedral of trees.

For whatever it means for you, Happy Holidays!