Vaughan: Awake, glad heart!

Friday, December 1, 2023
    Commemoration of Charles de Foucauld, Hermit, Servant of the Poor, 1916
Meditation:
Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this;
    shout aloud, O earth beneath.
Burst into song, you mountains,
    you forests and all your trees,
for the LORD has redeemed Jacob,
    he displays his glory in Israel.
    —Isaiah 44:23 (NIV)
Quotation:
Awake, glad heart! get up, and sing!
It is the birth-day of thy King.
    Awake! awake!
    The sun doth shake
Light from his locks, and, all the way
Breathing perfumes, doth spice the day.

Awake, awake! heark how th’ wood rings,
Winds whisper, and the busie springs
    A concert make;
    Awake! awake!
Man is their high-priest, and should rise
To offer up the sacrifice.

I would I were some bird, or star,
Flutt’ring in woods, or lifted far
    Above this inne
    And rode of sin!
Then either star or bird should be
Shining or singing still to thee.
    ... Henry Vaughan (1622-1695), The Poetical Works of Henry Vaughan, Boston: Osgood, 1871, p. 119 (see the book)
    See also Isa. 44:23; Ps. 57:8-9; 85:9-12; 96:11-13; 108:2-3; Isa. 9:6; 49:13; Matt. 1:21; Luke 1:31-33; 2:8-14; Rev. 5:13
Quiet time reflection:
    Awaken our hearts this day, Lord.

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