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| Image by Zdonek Bardon |
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A GREETING
Let my cry come before you, O God;
give me understanding according to your word.
(Psalm 119:169)
A READING
I made the earth,
and created humankind upon it;
it was my hands that stretched out the heavens,
and I commanded all their host.
(Isaiah 45:12)
MUSIC
A MEDITATIVE VERSE
Be glad and rejoice for ever in what I am creating.
(Isaiah 65:18a)
A POEM
O Holy Spirit,
Come as the wind to forward our goings.
Come as the dove to launch us heavenward.
Come as the water to purify our spirits.
Come as the cloud to abate our temptations.
Come as the dew to revive our langour.
Come as fire to purge our souls;
for your truth and for our name's sake. Amen
- "A Prayer" by Christina Rossetti
VERSE OF THE DAY
From the beginning, good things were created for the good.
(Sirach 39:25a)
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| Contemporary illuminated manuscript by Daniel Mitsui (2020) created in the style of 6 to 9th century illuminated gospels Northumbria and Ireland. The image interprets Matthew 1 lines 17-18. |
The overlapping of Celtic spirituality with Celtic Christianity was deeply inspired by imagination and creativity. Early Celtic practice in Ireland was a uniquely Indigenous religion. Over time, some of its practices became influenced by and even fused with the rites that had been brought to Ireland from Rome.
In some ways, early Celtic Christianity spoke into the different ways in which the Celtic peoples had been diversifying. Monasticism offered an innovative way for people to be gathered in faith while also coming away and living in intentionally isolated communities. For those who had been mystics and warriors, joining a monastic community became an opportunity to do something new in a way that was also anchored in familiar practices.
Many early Celtic Christians were artists. They were musicians and visual artists. The tradition of ‘illuminating’ manuscripts became a way to offer a Celtic visual commentary on the word of God that was the foundation of this new life. The Celtic illuminated letters in books of Scripture became an art unto itself, as we will explore more closely in coming days.
Celtic music was and is another richly expressive arts form. Celtic music relies on multiple instruments coming together in ensembles, creating melodies that are compatibly interwoven but not necessarily harmonic. Like the weaving of Celtic knots and decorative lintels, the musical threads dance and intertwine with each other. The ensemble sound matters more than any individual instrumental virtuosity. Of these instruments, the harp has most consistently endured in the traditions of Celtic Christianity.
Today’s photos at top and bottom were created using time lapse, tracking the progress of stars rotating over days across the South Pole in Chile. The appearance of “lines” is a photographic illusion, and yet from this we can glimpse how much hidden mystery is in God’s Creation. Celtic creativity is constantly weaving itself into that mystery.
Creativity takes many forms. What are the ways that you explore God’s mystery through your own creativity, or in supporting the creativity of others? How does doing so help you to deepen your faith life?
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| Image by Alexandre Santerne |
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LC† Come Holy Darkness is a project of Lutherans Connect, supported by the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Centre for Spirituality and Media at Martin Luther University College. To receive the devotions by email, write to lutheransconnect@gmail.com. The devotional pages are written and curated by Deacon Sherry Coman, with support and input from Pastor Steve Hoffard, Catherine Evenden and Henriette Thompson. Join us on Facebook, and on Twitter. Lutherans Connect invites you to make a donation to the Ministry by going to this link on the website of the ELCIC Eastern Synod and selecting "Lutherans Connect Devotionals" under "Fund". Devotions are always freely offered, however your donations help to support extended offerings throughout the year.
Thank you and peace be with you!