Breath of Heaven

My friend Amy Gottschang told me yesterday that she regrets not finishing her blog piece for this season. She had planned to dissect the song "Breath of Heaven," this beautiful Amy Grant song that is a glimpse inside Mary's mind on the day her child was born. Amy says that specifically, the line in the song that always gets her is, "Breath of heaven... hold me together..." and how no doubt Mary was begging God to help her on that long ride and through the intense labor of childbirth. But more so, how those words are a metaphor for every day of the entire year, to be used by any of us, whenever troubled, any time.

This song (and this video with The Nativity story I found today) are so emotional and beautiful. I can't get through it without tears. (Maybe I should pray for the breath of heaven to hold me together :) -- but they aren't tears of sadness....) Amy, thanks for your wisdom. And for a new prayer this new year!

And for anyone who might be interested in making their Christmas creche really come to life, here is a wonderful procession to the nativity that Barb Kennedy shared. Her family did this for years, walking through the darkened house on Christmas eve, looking for room at the inn. This is a neat way to make a big deal about putting Jesus in the manger to signify the celebration of the night of his birth.

CHRISTMAS EVE PROCESSION TO THE MANGER

All gather in a darkened room. Lit candles are carried by each person.
One person/child carries the infant figure: others are assigned speaking
roles. Procession moves about house through darkened rooms.

CHILD ASKS (IN EACH ROOM): “Sir, do you have room for us in your Inn?”


ADULT (IN EACH ROOM): “No, there is no room for you here.”

AFTER PASSING THRU THE VARIOUS ROOMS, THE PROCESSION ARRIVES AT THE PLACE OF THE MANGER & THE CHRISTMAS TREE.

CHILD ASKS: “Sir, we are very tired. We have come a long distance, all the
way from Nazareth to this town of Bethlehem. Do you have any room for us here?”
ADULT: “Yes, there is room. Tho the conditions are sparse, you are all welcome.
I will show you to the stable and help to make you comfortable.”
(pause here and CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS ARE NOW PUT ON)

ALL SING: Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

OLDEST CHILD: A reading from the ancient book of martyrs:
“In the 42nd year of the empire of Octavian Augustus;
in the 6th age of the world; while all the earth was at peace
Jesus Christ, eternal God, and Son of the Eternal Father,
Willed to bless the whole world by His gracious coming.
He was born in Bethlehem of the Virgin Mary.”

ALL SING: Silent night, holy night

Shepherds quake, at the sight.

Glories stream from heaven afar,

Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,

Christ our savior is born... Christ our savior is born.

(INFANT FIGURE IS NOW PLACED IN THE MANGER)

St. Luke’s Gospel continued:
“and it came to pass, when the angels had departed.

The shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over

to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened.”

So they went with haste, and they found Mary and

Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. And the

shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for

all they had heard and seen.”

MOTHER: Let us pray:
O Almighty God, we are so happy that once again we
can now join in celebrating the birth of our Savior.
May Jesus be our friend and be with us at all times.
May we prove worthy to be His friends by being at
all times, obedient, joyful, forgiving, and kind to
others. Amen

ALL: O come all ye faithful

Joyful and triumphant.

O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem.

Come and behold Him,

Born the King of angels.

O come let us adore Him

O come let us adore Him,

O come let us adore Him

Christ our Lord.

Happy Birthday Jesus!