Sunday, December 23, 2007

Take Joy!


I salute you.
I am your friend, and my love for you goes deep.
There is nothing I can give you which you have not.
But there is much,
very much, that, while I cannot give it, you can take.
No heaven can
come to us unless our hearts find rest in it today.
Take heaven!
No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present little instant.
Take peace!
The gloom of the world is but a shadow.
Behind it, yet within
our reach, is joy.
There is radiance and glory in darkness, could we but see.
And to see, we have only to look.
I beseech you to look! Life is so generous a giver.
But we, judging its gifts by their covering,
cast them away as ugly or heavy or hard.
Remove the covering,
and you
will find beneath it a living splendour,
woven of love by wisdom, with power.
Welcome it,
grasp it,
and you touch the angel's hand that brings it to you.
Everything we call a trial, a sorrow or a duty,
believe me, that angel's hand is thereThe gift is there and the wonder of an overshadowing presence.
Your joys, too,
be not content with them as joys.
They, too, conceal diviner gifts.Life is so full of meaning and purpose,
so full of beauty beneath its covering,
that you will find earth but cloaks your heaven.
Courage then to claim it;
that is all!
But courage you have,
and the knowledge that we are pilgrims together,
wending through unknown country home.And so,
at this time,
I greet you,
not quite as the world sends greetings,but with profound esteem and with the prayer that for you,
now and forever,
the day breaks and shadows flee away.

~ Fra Giovanni ~

Wool with you all and see you in January 2008!

30 comments:

  1. Fondest Christmas wishes, dear Lene and family.
    love and blessings

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  2. Anonymous23:16

    Lene, thank you so much for your Advent posts this month - it has been such a treat. Today's poem was especially lovely. All the very best to you and your family for Christmas and the New Year!

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  3. How lovely! Thank you, and thank you for yet another year of posts, sharing your life with us, revealing the beauty of your world.

    Joyful and Peaceful Holidays to you and yours.

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  4. Anonymous23:37

    Thank you for sharing your advent days with us, Lene. I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas and the very best for the new year.

    Lyn

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  5. Wool,silk and aplacha with you.

    Thanks for this year
    Ulla

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  6. What a lovely verse. Thank you. I think of you as the days start to slowly, slowly get lighter longer. Merry Christmas and a joyful and peaceful new year!

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  7. Anonymous00:16

    Peace, Joy, Love and Health be yours in this season and beyond! Merry Christmas from my heart to yours.

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  8. Anonymous01:04

    Thank-you for sharing the lovely calender with us, it was nice to take a few minutes and 'calm' ourselves with your posts.

    A very Merry Christmas and warmest wishes for a happy 2008.

    Tina from Canada

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  9. I've enjoyed your Advent posts - I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!

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  10. Merry Christmas!!! Blessings to you and yours for the New Year!!! May your knitting basket overflow with all the perfect yarns of your dreams!!!I loved the advent calender you shared. It reminded me of my Great Grandma from Norway.

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  11. Anonymous02:25

    Thank you, Lene. Thank you for everything you do - for living in the woods, for nurturing your children, for snowmobiling with your man, for your photos and integrity and ingenuity. For your red-leather-covered stools. You are one of my inspirations. With best wishes for you and yours, this Christmas and all through the New Year.

    Ellen

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  12. Warmest Christmas Greetings Lene and family. thanks you for another wonderful year of blogging. I am eagerly awaiting the new directions you entries will take me. I wish you all peace, goodwill and joy in the New Year!

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  13. Anonymous04:21

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours!

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  14. I love that poem. It moved me. Merry Christmas Lene, to you and your family.

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  15. Hyvää Joulua Lene!

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  16. So lovely!!!
    Thank you so much for your advent post.
    Joyful and peaceful Holidays to you

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  17. Anonymous12:50

    Lene, thank you for your Advent posts. I looked forward to each photograph of the calendar, enjoyed the music, poem and pics of your country, the recipe, the heart felting and of course knitting. Hauskaa Joulua and Happy New Year. Wishing you and your family many blessings in the new year. :)
    Kim

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  18. Anonymous16:05

    Thanks a lot Lene, for this lovely poem, sooooooooo true and kind...
    Wishing you and your family the best for these days of joy and sharing !
    Joyeux Noël, Bonne et Heureuse Année !

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  19. Merry Christmas with much love,
    Marie N.

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  20. Anonymous16:55

    Thank you for for this year of sharing. I look forward to 2008 and the new things it will bring. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

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  21. Anonymous18:19

    Dear Lene,
    Thank you so much for your advent calendar. I've looked forward to opening a new window every day! It was a wonderful idea, and a beautiful Christmas gift to all your readers.
    With warmest Christmas wishes to you and your family.

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  22. What a lovely poem - a song, really. I've so enjoyed visiting your blog and seeing the lovely things you make. Thank you for the wonderful posts ... and Merry Christmas.

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  23. Merry Christmas, and thanks for sharing your Christmas with us.

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  24. Merry Christmas! I've so enjoyed your advent calendar, such a beautiful treasure! Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday!

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  25. Merry Christmas Lene and family!
    We loved your gingerbread house! We are making ours today as a family, one tiny house for each child. Wool with you,
    Aline

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  26. Anonymous18:39

    Dear Lene - thank you so much for your inspirational blog. Janet, visiting in Seattle and using my daughter-in-law's computer.

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  27. Anonymous04:39

    Lene,
    Peace and joy to you and your family!
    Margie

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  28. The bit from the padre made me cry. But that's not always a bad thing.

    Best wishes from across the pond.

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  29. Anonymous17:11

    Best wishes for a lovely, creative, enriching year in 2008.

    I just discovered your blog and will visit from time to time. So not only are your "old" reader-friends continuing to read your now-not-so-much-knitting blog, but you are making new reader-friends, too!

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  30. Anonymous16:59

    I love your new header. It's worth coming here just to see that. I can't wait to see what new wonders you'll bring us for '08.

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