A Reflection by the Senior Warden
Some children see him Lily white
The baby Jesus born this night
Some children see him lily white
With tresses soft and fair
Some children see him bronzed and brown
The Lord of heaven to Earth come down
Some children see him bronzed and brown
With dark and heavy hair
These are the first 2 verses of one of my favorite Christmas song composed by Alfred Burt and recorded by the late Al Jarreau, the version I like most. The lyrics reflect how little children of different backgrounds and skin hue, see God through their own eyes. I love this song! It reminds me of so many things, but mostly reminds me how pure are the hearts of children and how we see things through our eyes.
Months ago, well before COVID-19 and all things pandemic, I started attending the weekly Centering Prayer at the Cathedral (big shout out to Mary Clawsey who regularly attended too!) with my friend and colleague Karen. Karen, so you know, is a “cradle” Episcopalian who has spent the last 20 years distancing herself from her traditional Episcopalian upbringing to a more fluid spiritual awareness. I invited Karen, not my idea, but I believe the Spirit of God, to join me for that afternoons centering prayer. To my surprise, Karen said yes and off we went.
At our first time attending, Bishop Sutton was leading and he began by talking about a super hero Marvel movie, which had just come out. Little did he know Karen was an avid Marvel fan and his words had her hooked. She later said, it was the Bishop’s sharing about the movie and how it represented so much of what we see in the world, which drew Karen to come back, week after week. Sharing that short introduction about the movie showed her that someone was able to see through her eyes, and understand her perspective about life. The one small movie mention opened her heart to more.
As Memorial continues to move forward with dismantling symbols of its past, and America moves to find racial justice, I challenge us to use this week to see through the eyes of someone that doesn’t look like you. Let’s continue to open our hearts to more.
The children in each different place
Will see the baby Jesus' face
Like theirs but bright
With heavenly grace
And filled with holy light
Oh lay aside each earthly thing
And with thy heart as offering
Come worship now the infant king
'Tis love that's born tonight
Amen