Christmas Cheer from our Carmel
Sharing from the Nuns
Merry Christmas season to all of our dear family and friends! We’d like to share some Christmas cheer from our Carmel in a short video. We’d also like to share a lovely poem we recently found tucked inside a Christmas songbook. A treasure from time’s past, indeed. Written in Sr. Mary Alice’s handwriting (she died several
years ago) the poem is on the inside of a little handmade card. On the front is a lovely vintage holy picture of the Infant Jesus surrounded by angels (see below). The poem was a special addition to Advent preparation this year.
We hope you also enjoy these little treasures of the season!
Poem: Sweet Blessed Little Jesus
Sweet blessed little Jesus,
‘Tis You alone can please us.
Why stay You then so long?
Lord, hasten now Your coming,
Our hearts do die with longing
To be with You made one.
You angels’ joy and treasure
Our sole content and pleasure,
The comfort of our minds;
You desired of all creatures,
You fairest of all features,
Oh, that we could You find!
O sacred, precious Infant,
Our glory, joy and content,
Where is now your abode?
Where are those chosen places?
Where You unfold your graces?
There would I be my God.
Where are Your midday restings?
Where your delightful feastings
Which You so long detain?
Where’s You sweet habitation?
Your bowers of recreation
Which Your affections gain?
Within the purest lily,
In a garden plain, not hilly,
Enclosed on all sides;
In a precious sealed fountain;
On a solitary mountain,
Where all perfection bides.
The Sacred Virgin Mother,
Is Your delightful harbor,
Your chosen throne of peace.
Your dove, your only fair one,
Your dear, Your only rare one
Where love does never cease.
Then glorious Queen of heaven,
Make haste! Give us the Given,
The Treasure of our hearts.
Sweet Lady, stay no longer,
But make our souls the manger
No creature shall have part.
Carmelite Christmas 2024
We put together some photos of our monastery Christmas decorations in a prayerful little display to add some holy cheer to your day. We hope you enjoy it!
