Advent Poem Reflection: Camel
- Leah Brix
- 4 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Camel
Noble from birth, choice stock I belong,
To carry fine kings on my back, oh so strong.
Summoned from the East, that bright star did beckon,
The Magi, in his wisdom, said, “Let’s follow, I reckon!”
The star was so close, just right overhead.
Last stop for directions from the great King Herod.
No help was he, so on we went,
With a request from him, the new king's address be sent.
Atop a dark cave, the bright star did shine.
Nestled inside was the Newborn Divine.
The King of Kings before us asleep,
Unworthy were we to utter a peep.
A letter arrived in the mail. It was from our diocese, so I set it aside, assuming the annual appeal requests were getting a facelift, and figured I had plenty of time to respond.
By the time I got around to actually opening it, I had one day left to respond to this time-sensitive “letter”, which was in fact an invitation to the ordination of our new bishop. It was kind of a big deal because it wasn’t just a new appointment, but the bishop's ordination of Father Patrick Neary to the Most Reverend bishop Patrick Neary.
I was 8 weeks pregnant with my 8th child, so I sat uncomfortably towards the back of St. Mary’s Cathedral, trying to keep my nausea at bay. The mix of colognes and perfumes from all the spiffy people around me dressed in their fanciest Sunday bests was NOT helping my cause!
But I made it through and was so happy for the opportunity to witness that historical event. At the reception afterwards, we were able to ask the brand-new bishop to give us his blessing and to bless the baby growing inside me. What an unforgettable moment!
Bishop Neary is now a successor of the apostles, which leaves him with huge shoes to fill! But through the graces of his vocation, I trust that he will continue to shepherd and guide our flock here in central, Minnesota.
Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, the Pope chose him to lead our diocese at this time.
So I guess that makes him a pretty big deal, huh? He was chosen for this after all, because at his baptism and strengthened at his confirmation, he received a permanent seal on his soul that marked him as a person belonging to Christ. It empowered him to be a priest, prophet, and king, living out Christ’s mission here on earth.
He’s about as close as I will ever get to royalty!
OH, wait, I forgot to tell you! You, too, were marked with that same indelible sign, that permanent seal on your soul, marking you as a priest, prophet, and king! You, too, as a baptized Christian, are a member of that same royal family! Knowing any baptized Christian means that you, too, have met royalty!
We are baptized with the expectation of greatness, that we will carry out the mission of Christ here on earth. That we will be the hands and feet of Jesus, working towards the Kingdom of God, all of our earthly days.
The camel in our Advent poem was also born for greatness. His destiny was to carry royalty on his proud back. But despite his noble heritage and that of the kings he carried to Bethlehem, they weren’t worthy to utter a sound in the presence of the tiny babe fast asleep. So small and vulnerable, yet he recognized how mighty and powerful this God-man was, and how unworthy they were to even stand in His presence.
The Incarnation is such a mystery. We weren’t worthy for Him to stoop down and become man like us. We didn’t deserve that kind of condescension. Yet condescend He did, and He saved us from our sin by opening the gates of heaven.
Once upon a time, a tiny letter arrived in the mail requesting my presence at an ordination, where I got to meet the new bishop.
Once upon a time, a tiny child arrived in a manger, and I get to meet Him at every Mass where I can receive Him, body, blood, soul, and divinity. Now He IS a big deal!
Until next time, your sister in Christ,
Leah
