Why "St. Cuthbert's Island"?

Saint Cuthbert was a Celtic monk who lived in the 7th century.
He received visitors at his monastery in Northumbria and was even appointed a bishop, but he yearned for the life of an ascetic. While living at the monastery on the island of Lindisfarne, he sought to spend time with the Lord whenever possible. Early on, he practiced solitude on a small island that was linked to Lindisfarne by a land bridge when the tide was low. This tiny island, known as Saint Cuthbert’s Island, was a training ground of sorts—a place to grow in faith and in love for God.

I chose to name my blog after this island for two reasons:
1) I hope that it will be a place where I can spend time alone with God, growing in my love for Him.
2) Perhaps, when the tide is low, others may find their way to this tiny island
and, by God’s grace, be blessed by what they find there.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Christmas in July

This phrase usually refers to an unexpected windfall--a fortuitous felicity. In this case, however, I mean to use it literally.

This month my devotional readings are focused on pilgrimage.
One of the main themes running through the readings is that our lives are meant to be a journey. As Christians, our destination is conformity to Christ, union with the Father, fellowship in the Spirit, etc.

Yesterday's reading, however, focused on Haddington, Scotland. The author evidently came upon a scene at Haddington depicting Mary. In this scene, she is presenting her baby boy to the royal visitors who have come to adore Him.

God Himself made a pilgrimage...to a teenage virgin's womb, to a humble manger, to backwater Nazareth, to the cross, and to the grave.

Back to the scene from Haddington. These magi pilgrims came to bring an offering to the newborn King of the Jews. They brought their best...but what then happened to their hearts? Did they depart from that encounter forever changed?

Christ has come into our world as well. Many of us have knelt to worship and honor the Christ child. God not only made the pilgrimage to humble Himself in a lowly stall in Bethlehem, He has now humbled Himself enough to indwell us through the Spirit.

Kneel before Him. Adore Him. Be changed as you gaze upon the Lord of glory, He who humbled Himself to endure a shameful birth and a scandalous death.

Be humbled yourself as you adore.

This is Christmas in July.
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1 comment:

T. Michael W. Halcomb said...

Clay,

Interesting post; I love the Trinitarianism of it!

On the Christmas thing, I find it ridiculous that we have songs set aside solely for that time of year. I tried to lead the congregation in singing Joy to the World a few months after Christmas and some people just couldn't quite understand why; as if we are to only remember Christ's pilgrimage here once a year.

One thing that this tells me is that we have lost the Christ-ness in Christmas and Christ-ianity in so many ways. In fact, the one time of year set aside for the birth of our Lord is more about material possessions, which, in all reality, is the focus of many throughout the rest of the year; it has all become watered down.

Christmas in July...hmm. Then might I simply say, "Gloria in excelsis deo!"

July 12, 2007 at 2:03 PM

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