December 12: Behold, I Stand at the Door and Knock
♫ Music:
Day 13—Friday, December 12
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
Revelation 3:20-21
Advent (On a Theme by Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
Pamela Cranston
Look how long
the weary world waited,
locked in its lonely cell,
guilty as a prisoner.
As you can imagine,
it sang and whistled in the dark.
It hoped. It paced and puttered about,
tidying its little piles of inconsequence.
It wept from the weight of ennui,
draped like shackles on its wrists.
It raged and wailed against the walls
of its own plight.
But there was nothing
the world could do
to find its own freedom.
The door was shut tight.
It could only be opened
from the outside.
Who could believe the latch
would be turned by a pink flower —
the tiny hand
of a newborn baby?
Prayer
Lord of the Universe,
Thank you for taking on flesh and coming to earth.
You amaze us on multiple fronts simultaneously.
You come as a child and yet as a king.
As a new born baby You unlatch the door to a whole new world.
As the gentle Savior You patiently wait for us to invite You in.
As the Great I Am You proclaim that You are the Door, the Way, the Truth, the Life.
Come Lord Jesus, come.
By Thine own eternal spirit, rule in all our hearts alone.
Amen
Christ Knocking at the Door
William Holman Hunt
Oil on canvas
About the Artist and Art
William Holman Hunt (1872 – 1910) was one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood – a group that rejected the classical movement that started with Raphael, and wished to return to imitations of nature and mimesis in art. Of the group, Hunt remained the most devoted to his ideals throughout his career. His paintings are best known for their detail and vivid color. This painting depicts Christ’s words in Revelation: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” It reflects some of Hunt’s strongest skills: intense color, attention to detail, and symbolism throughout.
About the Music
Advent Suite Lyrics
Stand still and wait for the night to pass over
Under cover of darkness the morning will rise
From the east comes the hope and it's wrapped up in sunrise
So rest, close your eyes, and wait one more hour
Our joy has come in through the sky
Come thou long expected Jesus
Born to set thy people free
From our fears and sins release us
Let us find our rest in thee
Israel's strength and consolation
Hope of all the earth thou art
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of every longing heart
Born thy people to deliver
Born a child and yet a king
Born to reign in us forever
Forever
Rejoice, rejoice Emmanuel
Shall come to thee o’ Israel
So rest, close your eyes, and wait one more hour
Our joy has come in through the sky
About the Performer
Cynthia Clawson (b. 1948) has released 21 albums since 1974 and has won several awards for her work. Called "the most awesome voice in gospel music" by Billboard Magazine, she has performed in many prestigious venues and with preeminent groups, and her work has been featured in various films.
www.cynthiaclawson.com
About the Poet
Rev. Pamela Cranston was born in New York City and raised in Old Deerfield, MA. She was the first American to join the Anglican Franciscan Order – The Community of St. Francis, and served as a Franciscan nun in Somerset, England and San Francisco from 1974 to 1978. She was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1990, and currently is installed as the Vicar of St. Cuthbert's Episcopal Church. She frequently writes poems and book reviews in addition to her work in the church.