By Maryanna Gabriel
It has been a long while since I was in Jerusalem. As a
younger woman I felt overwhelmed by the maelstrom of people and the fervent
concentration of the churches of the world there. The ancient lane-ways and
cobblestone streets literally sent me into a swoon. I was overcome by some
malady as I strove to steady myself. Later, when I was better, a trip was made
to Nazareth. It was a little disappointing. I remember staring at a bland Sea
of Galilee, it seemed so nondescript, and there were bubbles on the surface of
the water. I don’t know what I expected. Blind illumination. Perhaps some
morphic resonance of the sacred. It seemed important to see these places right out of the starting gate of life and it all resounds profoundly regardless, as I listen to Handel's Messiah. Christmas is a time where what is abiding and
enduring comes to the fore and all else falls away. What is abiding of course
is eternal and that is the unraveling of the great mystery we all must
journey.
"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves,
so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves."
Matthew 10:16
so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves."
Matthew 10:16