I think that because the death of a child is almost always unexpected and shocking in first world societies today, it’s all too easy to get the “ick” from Childermas. However, I try to put myself in the place of a medieval or early modern parent who had to expect losing a child as a likely and normal part of parenthood… How comforting it must have been to have this feast as a reminder of the cohorts of little saints waiting in heaven since the era of Jesus’ birth.
Truly such a comfort to have space for suffering built into the infrastructure of the calendar - and not just at the usual penitential times, but during a festival season!
First of all, I never knew the backgrounds to the delicate beauty of the Coventry Carol, a favourite of mine from when I was in a choir in High School. It did always strike me as we sang it, how soft and delicate it was. As a mother and grandmother now, I can see why. Thank you for illuminating it. Secondly, Iris and I read a little Bible book called The Happy Search only this morning and it had Herod in it, glowering and lying about his desire to worship the Baby King. Iris was horrified that he wanted to kill Baby Jesus but I am still glad that this was in the story. She could sense in her innocence that he was a bad man and that suffering would come if The Three Wise Men told him where the manger was.
I had the same reaction when I learned about the origins of the Coventry Carol - and I finally understood why I couldn't hear it without getting weepy! (Though in all fairness, many carols do that to me).
Thank you for sharing about the book you & Iris enjoyed...I'll have to keep an eye out for that for our littles. Iris is SO perceptive, and it really is amazing to watch how children perceive the drama of Herod. Such devastation.
Thank you for this lovely reflection on these feast days. I included a bit in my upcoming Monday post, and it’s comforting to know Christians elsewhere are meditating upon these things at the same time, even if we aren’t neighbors.
The beauty of Christianity always seems brightest in its answer to suffering: that our God suffered, too, and it was for us, and will redeem it all. I appreciate you bringing this beauty to us.
Thank you so much, Leah - I'm so glad this felt resonant. I totally agree: Christianity is brightest in its answer to suffering. It's a faith of true camaraderie in pain, but sadly, that message has often been lost in our modern culture. I'm so glad to get to meditate on these things alongside you, Leah!
I'll look forward to seeing your upcoming post - wishing you a peaceful Christmastide!
So much beautiful writing in this Kristin! Loved this:
'Jesus is born into a feeding trough, and something remarkable is initiated: God has gone searching for us, and the salvation he bears is somehow both a gift already-given and an invitation awaiting our response.' ❤️
"In these days following the Nativity, the Church offers us a pattern of startling Nativity reenactment: a string of feasts manifesting three different facets of martyrdom."2
I had never heard this viewpoint before; how profound. I love all of this post, Kristin; you've given Childermas the reverence it deserves.
Bless you, Erin! Thanks so much for joining me here & pondering these things with me...I'd never gone very far beyond the surface-level of Childermas, and lo & behold, it's been a profound deepening to my whole engagement with Christmastide. I had taken much of the Christmas story for granted, but when I stop to look deeper, SO much is revealed!
Thank you so much, Elizabeth - this holiday has been such a poignant one to reflect on. I hadn't delved as deeply into it before (maybe because it's such a tough nut to crack, in many ways!), and as always, more & more layers appear the deeper the calendar goes. Thanks for reading...Merry Christmastide!
I think that because the death of a child is almost always unexpected and shocking in first world societies today, it’s all too easy to get the “ick” from Childermas. However, I try to put myself in the place of a medieval or early modern parent who had to expect losing a child as a likely and normal part of parenthood… How comforting it must have been to have this feast as a reminder of the cohorts of little saints waiting in heaven since the era of Jesus’ birth.
Truly such a comfort to have space for suffering built into the infrastructure of the calendar - and not just at the usual penitential times, but during a festival season!
First of all, I never knew the backgrounds to the delicate beauty of the Coventry Carol, a favourite of mine from when I was in a choir in High School. It did always strike me as we sang it, how soft and delicate it was. As a mother and grandmother now, I can see why. Thank you for illuminating it. Secondly, Iris and I read a little Bible book called The Happy Search only this morning and it had Herod in it, glowering and lying about his desire to worship the Baby King. Iris was horrified that he wanted to kill Baby Jesus but I am still glad that this was in the story. She could sense in her innocence that he was a bad man and that suffering would come if The Three Wise Men told him where the manger was.
I had the same reaction when I learned about the origins of the Coventry Carol - and I finally understood why I couldn't hear it without getting weepy! (Though in all fairness, many carols do that to me).
Thank you for sharing about the book you & Iris enjoyed...I'll have to keep an eye out for that for our littles. Iris is SO perceptive, and it really is amazing to watch how children perceive the drama of Herod. Such devastation.
Thank you for this lovely reflection on these feast days. I included a bit in my upcoming Monday post, and it’s comforting to know Christians elsewhere are meditating upon these things at the same time, even if we aren’t neighbors.
The beauty of Christianity always seems brightest in its answer to suffering: that our God suffered, too, and it was for us, and will redeem it all. I appreciate you bringing this beauty to us.
Thank you so much, Leah - I'm so glad this felt resonant. I totally agree: Christianity is brightest in its answer to suffering. It's a faith of true camaraderie in pain, but sadly, that message has often been lost in our modern culture. I'm so glad to get to meditate on these things alongside you, Leah!
I'll look forward to seeing your upcoming post - wishing you a peaceful Christmastide!
What a kind message. God bless you and your Christmastide as well!
So much beautiful writing in this Kristin! Loved this:
'Jesus is born into a feeding trough, and something remarkable is initiated: God has gone searching for us, and the salvation he bears is somehow both a gift already-given and an invitation awaiting our response.' ❤️
Thank you so much, Ishah - I'm so glad that this resonated with you! Blessings to you!
"In these days following the Nativity, the Church offers us a pattern of startling Nativity reenactment: a string of feasts manifesting three different facets of martyrdom."2
I had never heard this viewpoint before; how profound. I love all of this post, Kristin; you've given Childermas the reverence it deserves.
Bless you, Erin! Thanks so much for joining me here & pondering these things with me...I'd never gone very far beyond the surface-level of Childermas, and lo & behold, it's been a profound deepening to my whole engagement with Christmastide. I had taken much of the Christmas story for granted, but when I stop to look deeper, SO much is revealed!
This is such a beautiful reflection, Kristin. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Elizabeth - this holiday has been such a poignant one to reflect on. I hadn't delved as deeply into it before (maybe because it's such a tough nut to crack, in many ways!), and as always, more & more layers appear the deeper the calendar goes. Thanks for reading...Merry Christmastide!