hark now, i hear them, ding dong bell

Listening:
Everything + Everything Epilogue ~ Safri Duo
Blue Water, Blue Sky ~ Guilty Gear X

christmas is nine days from now. i think not being in america, i have a lot more opportunity to hide away from the crass commercialism that pervades the occasion, though the retailers over here cannot be faulted for lack of trying. no presents from me, bah humbug!

amid all the pomp and pageantry, i think we would do well to remember certain things. our God came in under the radar - no one was expecting it, and the big angelic light show seems to have gone unnoticed by most people. he picked himself the most humble surroundings to be born in.

how does this translate to his work in the landscape of our hearts?

following Saint Francis of Assisi's conversation with a certain Brother Leo:

"When we come to St. Mary of the Angels, soaked by the rain and frozen by the cold, all soiled with mud and suffering from hunger, and we ring at the gate of the Place and the brother porter comes and says angrily: 'Who are you?'

"And we say: 'We are two of your brothers.'

"And he contradicts us, saying: 'You are not telling the truth. Rather you are two rascals who go around deceiving people and stealing what they give to the poor. Go away!'

"And he does not open for us, but makes us stand outside in the snow and rain, cold and hungry, until night falls-then if we endure all those insults and cruel rebuffs patiently, without being troubled and without complaining, and if we reflect humbly and charitably that that porter really knows us and that God makes him speak against us, oh, Brother Leo, write that perfect joy is there!"

Amen, may perfect joy be found in the long but temporary struggle, when trivial "happiness" is not in the way.

what constitutes "doing nothing"? but now that it seems to have been revealed as a test of principles and patience, i shall not be found wanting, by the grace of God. but what is the purpose? at least after yesterday, the logic engine (i hope) can be left in peace to reboot.

loneliness is corrosive.

i may have mentioned this before, but wasn't Jesus born in the summer? in the winter, what were the shepherds doing out in the fields, considering the average nighttime low temperature in December around Jerusalem is about 6 C (43 F)?

i have recently become enamoured with complex percussion beats and bass riffs.