Waugh and the Three Kings

 

British Catholic author Evelyn Waugh wrote a beautiful poem about the Three Kings.  Waugh was a convert. The poem (framed as a prayer) draws a parallel between converts and the Magi, who arrive in Bethlehem after the birth of Jesus. The poem can be found here.

In a letter to Edward Sackville-West, Waugh wrote, “Conversion is like stepping across the chimney piece out of a Looking-Glass world, where everything is an absurd caricature, into the real world God made; and then begins the delicious process of exploring it limitlessly.”

The depth of Waugh's humility and gratitude for his conversion is found in the poem's lines, "May we, too, before and at the end find kneeling-space in the straw." 

Epiphany and Church Flowers

Epiphany, January 6, is one of the major feast days of the Church.  Often called "Three Kings Day", it celebrates the arrival of the Magi in Bethlehem bearing the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The gold was because the Magi recognized Our Lord as King, incense because he is the true God, and myrrh because of his future Passion and burial.

The liturgical color for Epiphany is white.  Either white or gold or a combination of the two seem most appropriate for the feast's flower arrangements.  Golden flowers call to mind the Magi's gift of gold and look very attractive against white.  The white Star-of-Bethlehem (above) or other star-shaped blossoms call to mind the Star that guided the Magi.  See white flowers for church decoration for other white-flower possibilities.

Image:  Star of Bethlehem.  Photograph by Ulf Eliasson from Wikimedia Commons.  Some rights reserved (click for license).

Blessed Christmas 2024

 

May you have a Blessed Christmas!