The Reed of God and the Potent Emptiness of Advent

 

"It is emptiness like the hollow in the reed, the narrow restless emptiness which can have only one destiny: to receive the piper’s breath and to utter the song that is in his heart." - Caryll Houselander

In our Christmas episode of Risking Enchantment, we are looking at a seasonal devotional classic, Caryll Houselander’s The Reed of God. This small book packs a powerful punch in its meditations on the humanity of Mary, the Mother of God. We discuss its themes of emptiness, the promise of fulfillment and the secrecy of God’s life growing within us. We reflect on how Christmas can be a time of both joy and grief, but that we can bear God into the world in all the small moments and acts of service in our lives.

 

We would like to wish all our listeners a very happy Christmas season. Risking Enchantment will return in February 2024. 

 

Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson

 

Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson

 

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast

 

Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com

 

Sign up for our email list at www.rachelsherlock.com/podcast

 

 

Works Mentioned:

 

The Reed of God by Caryll Houselander

 

A Rocking Horse Catholic by Caryll Houselander

 

“Reed of God”, Catholic Insight by Sarah Gould

 

“Journey of the Magi” by T.S. Eliot

 

“Into the Dark with God”, You Crown the Year with your Goodness by Hans Urs Von Balthasar

 

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

 

What We’re Enjoying at the Moment

 

Phoebe: Christmas Choral Concerts - The Dublin Bach Singers and Culwick Choral Society

 

Rachel: “Holy Ghost” and “Manna”, Manna Part: 1 by Chris Renzema

“52:10” and “The Color Green”, A Liturgy, A Legacy and a Ragamuffin Band by Rich Mullins

Principium by The Arcadian Wild