From: William,
... My card includes a copy of a seasonal reflection which I have denoted as "conceived before the Blessed Sacrament at the Night Office of the Cistercian Abbey, Sancta Maria Abbey", my Christmas reflection - I attach an e-copy for you - it came to mind during the wonderful stillness before the Blessed Sacrament that follows after Vigils, the sanctuary light revealing hidden expressions of adoration.
Hidden in The Heart
In the silent hours of the night the sanctuary lamp glows continually, notifying of the very presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament;
just as the Star, shining over the stable in Bethlehem, announces His incarnation. The light of revelation shines through the darkness of faith, revealing His secret and mysterious indwelling, hidden in the heart.
Lk 17:21 for behold, the kingdom of God is within you
I love to dwell in the darkness before the glow of the sanctuary lamp
As one who keeps vigil beneath the Star that rises over Bethlehem
To behold the coming of the Son of Man in the visions of the night [1]
A shepherd boy watching for the Saviour, Who is Christ the Lord [2]
I gaze upon the tabernacle that hosts the presence of the Lord Jesus
Once cradled in a stable, Child of love divine dwelling in our midst [3]
For while gentle silence envelopes all things and night is half gone [4]
You come all-powerful Word, Son of God, from the realms of heaven
The flickering candle casts a golden halo around the heavenly Host
As the Star beams forth the radiance of eternal light upon the stable [5]
Shining out of darkness to announce the majesty and glory of God [6]
Revealed in the infant and manifest in the Person Jesus the Messiah
May the rays spread their illumination within the temple of my soul
That I may come to the knowledge of the secrets and mysteries [7]
The treasures of the darkness of faith and the riches concealed [8]
Within the sanctuary of Your indwelling, hidden in my heart
[1]Dan 7:13 I was gazing into the visions of the night, when I saw, coming on the clouds of heaven, as it were a Son of Man
[2]Lk 2:11 To you is born this day… a Saviour, Who is Christ the Lord
[3] Zec 2:10 for behold, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of you
[4] Wis 18:14 for while gentle silence enveloped all things, and night in its swift course was now half gone, your all-powerful word leaped from heaven
[6]2 Cor 4:6 For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as to beam forth the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed in the face of Jesus Christ the Messiah
[7]Mt 13:11 To you it has been given to know the secrets and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven
[8]Is 45:3 I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places
conceived before the Blessed Sacrament
at the Night Office of the Cistercian monastery,
Sancta Maria Abbey, Nunraw, Edinburgh
William
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