Galaxies Tell of Your Might (Little Canticle 127)

Galaxies tell of your might;

Nebulae pour out your glory;

Stars and planets dance to your rhythm and little moons rejoice in their rapid circuits.

All the Universe moves to your command, O God of the land, the sea and the skies of a billion, billion orbs.

And we, your people, praise you amidst your Godly vastness.

Ah, Lord, What are women and men that you should be mindful of us? And who am I that You should pour such infinite love upon me?

O gracious God, we thank you for your wonderful love for us, showered upon us by your Holy Spirit, when there is such a vast array in the seen and unseen heavens, all of which are your blessed and glorious terrain.

Creator God, Redeemer God, our minds reel at the vastness of it all as we ponder the amazing paradoxes we see in you and in your creation.

Praise be to you who is at the heart of it all; who is, who ever has been and ever will be.  Amen

If you enjoy this style of writing, you might like to go to Little Canticle 46 or Little Canticle 123 - When I consider the Heavens or look at the special index of poems with similar themes Here.
If you would like to see all the Little canticles (similar in format) on the blog, Click Here
Other poems, meditations and songs with a SCIENCE & FAITH theme can be accessed HERE

The Christ-child: Eternity is Blessed

The Christ-child: Eternity is Blessed

In a stable, startlingly,
lies the creator of the Universe,
cradled in a maiden’s arms.
Through this Jewish mother’s kisses
eternity is blessed
with her timeless outpouring of human love.

O how she would have kissed and hugged
her little miracle boy;
that blessed gift of the Divine.

Just as exquisitely as most new mothers
long to express
the cosmic love
that wells up from the very heart
of the firmament of heaven.

There is more original Christmas material on this blog which can be found at the special Advent and Christmas Index HERE

Nativity Star - Christmas week activity for juniors

Here's a simple Christmas week activity for juniors. Drag the Image below on to your desktop or into a file; then print this Nativity Star  on to a sheet of acetate (Overhead projector type) as a window decoration. Note the Cross at its heart.

The Crib and The Cosmos

As each Christmas approaches, when we celebrate again the coming of the Messiah, time, all too easily evaporates in a host of things-to-be-done. This short meditation opens by inviting you, the reader, to find just a few moments to think about the wonders of our mighty and humble God in preparation for our thoughtful participation in his festival.

The Crib and The Cosmos
Give yourself time
to ponder God's power
poured into space
to hang
the denizens of the universe
in their appointed place.

Kneel before Christ's crib;
ponder his powerlessness:
a naked, new-born arrival,
dependent on a maiden's milk
for his survival.

Ponder this contrast -
such utter paradox:
yet maybe we can, with its aid,
comprehend a part
of God's
unfathomable heart.

There is more Christmas material on this blog which can be found at the special Christmas and Advent Index HERE

Other poems, meditations and songs with a SCIENCE & FAITH theme can be accessed HERE

Bethlehem of The Isles:IONA

A celebration of Iona, that special place of Christian pilgrimage in the Hebridean Islands which draws on the symbolism from Celtic Christianity of the Holy Spirit being like the Wild Goose – sometimes alighting where she is wholly unexpected!

The Abbey: Iona

Bethlehem of the Isles:Iona
From out the Hebridean mists
appears a vivid star:
“Bethlehem of the Isles”;
small in stature,
yet
for the Wild Goose
a nurturing place;
from whence,
by Columba
and other faithful followers,
Christ’s message soared afar.

You might also like to explore more of the Island at The Hermit's Cell, IONA: A Special Place in the Cosmos, and
IONA, A Thin Place

IONA: A special place in the Cosmos

Iona – a special place on the planet: a special place in the Cosmos.

Iona from Fionnphort

Iona: A small island in the Southern inner Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland: place of pilgrimage: sixth century base of St Columba: home of numerous Celtic ‘High Crosses’ with their beautifully interlaced patterns symbolising eternity carved upon them: restored C13th Benedictine Abbey and Nunnery ruins: burial place of Scottish, Irish and Norwegian kings. Now, as ever, very much a place ‘on the edge’: home to the Iona Community – ‘an ecumenical Christian community that is committed to seeking new ways of living the Gospel in today's world. **

Described by George McLeod (Founder of the Iona Community) as ‘a thin place’ where the material and the spiritual come close to each other, this inspires the idea that this is indeed ‘a special place in the Cosmos’: a place that seems to speak to huge numbers of people on their spiritual journeys, as it has done and does to us. A place where the rocks are more ancient than those of the surrounding islands – and it is this that inspired this tribute. This will be the first of a small collection of poems celebrating that remarkable place.

Iona: The Island

When the Creator

Patterned these islands

With sculpting tools

Of tempest, ice, fire,

He knew the rôle

That was shaped for Iona:

He knew Columba's soul,

Filled with desire

For his Saviour,

Would thrive in this manger,

Guiding his followers

To face every danger,

As they were charged to

Go to the stranger:

And with Christ's peace,

Both peasant and chieftan inspire.

**The Iona Community can be found at www.iona.org.uk/

If you enjoyed this poem, other poems about Iona can be found at Iona - a Thin Place, and Iona: The Pilgrim Way