students of jesus

One of the un-looked for pleasures of this Saturday Song series is the quiet space and time it takes to become re-acquainted with an old friend. W.H. Auden is that friend today. Auden's is a distinctly 20th century voice; he was born in 1907 and died in 1973.

Christians are not entirely at ease with Auden. Some of us may be surprised to see him in heaven's mansion, seated comfortably, cigarette in hand, greeting us with a wry smile. But should we be surprised? That Great Hall is filled with examples of God's daring and creative grace. Auden credits Søren Kierkegaard, Charles Williams, and C.S. Lewis for guiding him back to belief. That's pedigree enough for me.

Today's selection is an excerpt from a larger work. As such I've chosen to give it a name: Mary at the Manger. It imagines the young mother of Jesus holding her baby, pondering the great mystery and plan of incarnation.

Mary At The Manger

Oh shut your bright eyes that mine must endanger

With their watchfulness: protected by its shade

Escape from my care: what can you discover

From my tender look but how to be afraid?

Love can but confirm the more it would deny.

Close your bright eye.

Sleep. What have you learned from the womb that bore you

But an anxiety your Father cannot feel?

Sleep. What will the flesh that I gave do for you,

Or my mother love, but tempt you from His will?

Why was I chosen to teach His son to weep?

Little one, sleep.

Dream. In human dreams earth ascends to Heaven

Where no one need pray nor ever feel alone.

In your first hours of life here, O have you

Chosen already what death must be your own?

How soon will you start on the Sorrowful Way?

Dream while you may.