Seventh Gift Of Advent: The End Of The Story

What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from. ~ T.S. Eliot

In The Middle Of The Story

The beginning and the end are the easy parts of the story–the opening scene, the longed for resolution make sense to us–but we live in the messy middle. From here, the plot seems random, the conflict serve no purpose, the characters confuse us, and it seems that evil has won the day.

Because we haven’t made it to the last page, we may be tempted to think we have.

God have pity on us, who can only see the present. Have mercy on those caught in the whirlpool of senseless pain, and the rest of us, impotent to make it right.

Mercy has been given. The author of the story has joined us in the broken middle of this world. His tears mingle with ours, our grief is enfolded in his own. He doesn’t insult us with easy answers, or pretend our pain away.

In Advent, we remember–Christmas was the chapter when everything changed. Heaven stooped down and touched earth below, Creator and creation reunited in a baby. A light has been kindled that no darkness can overcome.

This is our confidence: the one who wrote the opening lines has the breath-taking end composed. In the meantime, God walks with us through our mid-story bewilderment, faithful and true to the last page.

The Story Ends As It Begins

Of the Father’s love begotten, ere the worlds began to be,
He is alpha and omega, he the source, the ending he,
Of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see
Evermore and evermore.

Oh, the birth forever blessed when the virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving, bare the savior of our race,
And the babe, the world’s Redeemer, first revealed his sacred face
Evermore and evermore.

O ye heights of heaven, adore him; angel hosts, his praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before him and extol our God and King.
Let no tongue on earth be silent, every voice in concert ring
Evermore and evermore.

Christ, to thee with God the Father and, O Holy Ghost, to thee
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving and unending praises be,
Honor, glory, and dominion, and eternal victory
Evermore and evermore.

Amen.

Aurelius C. Prudentius, 4th century

I wrote this post before the Newtown, CT shootings. Words are almost useless in the face of deep sorrow and anger we all feel. Jesus, do and be for all the broken what we cannot.

Photograph, Sunset in Merced, CA Melanie Hunt