Sunday, December 06, 2009

The Reason for the Season: “Populus Sion, ecce Dominus veniet ...”

Late, Late, So Late!

Late, late, so late!
    dark the night and chill!
Late, late, so late!
    but we can enter still.
Too late, too late!
    ye cannot enter now.

No light had we:
    for that we do repent;
And learning this,
    the bridegroom will relent.
Too late, too late! ye cannot enter now.

No light: so late! and dark and chill the night!
O, let us in, that we may find the light!
Too late, too late: ye cannot enter now.

Have we not heard the bridegroom is so sweet?
O, let us in, tho' late, to kiss his feet!
No, no, too late! ye cannot enter now."

-- Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1871

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind? Why then did you go out? To see a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who wear soft raiment are in kings' houses. Why then did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, “Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.” -- Matthew 11:7-10

[VIDEO: Emmylou Harris, performing "Prayer in Open D" and "Get Up John (the Baptist)" in a 1996 concert on German TV.]

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