Anselm Grün's Christmas Essay
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Description
Book Introduction
“Because Christmas stirs a deep longing within us, We still have to connect with that mystery.” Anselm Grün brings out his own Christmas traditions and beautiful memories from his childhood. His stories of pure joy and excitement, recorded through his spiritual reflections, connect readers with the mystery contained in the ancient rituals and symbols of Christmas. In this book, which contains a total of 68 articles, he tells the secrets of the scenes we see everywhere at Christmas: baby Jesus and angels, snow and stars, trees and ornaments, carols and oratorios, gifts and candles, and family gatherings. In doing so, we encourage readers to take the time to decorate their rooms with their own rituals, creating spaces of anticipation and reflection. Especially for Christians who live each year during the Advent season leading up to Christmas, waiting and anticipating this day, his spiritual message is a wonderful gift. Above all, the writing that honestly tells his own story makes us look back very honestly at what we are waiting and longing for as we wait for Christmas. And if we accept all these stories with the same innocentness as a child receiving a present from Santa, it is said that our Christmas landscape will definitely be renewed. For those who yearn for true relaxation this Christmas, or for those who long to rekindle the joys of childhood, there's no better way to do so than by discovering the beautiful Christmas traditions of Anselm Grün. |
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index
Part 1: Waiting and Joy
A quiet time, 'Arriving' here where we are What makes our hearts beat Open your heart when you're awake Gift stress What are you thirsting for? Moderating gifts Symbol of stars To meet, open your heart Giving up, more than that Unlock the locks and bars! Dew, fall from the sky! The desert becomes green, Flowers bloom even in winter Comfort, comfort, people of love What the wreath symbolizes Soft light
Part 2: A Time of Joy, Blessings, and Grace
Merry Christmas Timpani and trumpet Awake, rejoice Sing now and be glad From the high heavens Silent night, holy night The sun that drives away the night Morning star in the dark night White Christmas In the middle of the cold winter How to taste Christmas as it used to be The promise of the Christmas tree Family feast If sorrow is mixed with joy It is more beautiful and more splendid
Part 3: Message of Joy
The wonder of divinity The manifestation of humanity The straight and the crooked Four dreams Dreams become reality God's healing is near me The mystery of Christmas Stable I stand here before your manger One of us The ox and the donkey Manger Faith The seat of the inn The gaze of the shepherd The music of the shepherds Christmas angels The message of angels Peace on earth I am with you in your dark night
Part 4: The Miracle of Newness
Born in silence God born in the heart The festival of birth New and fragile life The miracle of newness God comes as a child A new beginning of joy The child within becomes human The path to the inner self Something new happens The new is already here Love that magically changes life
A quiet time, 'Arriving' here where we are What makes our hearts beat Open your heart when you're awake Gift stress What are you thirsting for? Moderating gifts Symbol of stars To meet, open your heart Giving up, more than that Unlock the locks and bars! Dew, fall from the sky! The desert becomes green, Flowers bloom even in winter Comfort, comfort, people of love What the wreath symbolizes Soft light
Part 2: A Time of Joy, Blessings, and Grace
Merry Christmas Timpani and trumpet Awake, rejoice Sing now and be glad From the high heavens Silent night, holy night The sun that drives away the night Morning star in the dark night White Christmas In the middle of the cold winter How to taste Christmas as it used to be The promise of the Christmas tree Family feast If sorrow is mixed with joy It is more beautiful and more splendid
Part 3: Message of Joy
The wonder of divinity The manifestation of humanity The straight and the crooked Four dreams Dreams become reality God's healing is near me The mystery of Christmas Stable I stand here before your manger One of us The ox and the donkey Manger Faith The seat of the inn The gaze of the shepherd The music of the shepherds Christmas angels The message of angels Peace on earth I am with you in your dark night
Part 4: The Miracle of Newness
Born in silence God born in the heart The festival of birth New and fragile life The miracle of newness God comes as a child A new beginning of joy The child within becomes human The path to the inner self Something new happens The new is already here Love that magically changes life
Into the book
During Advent, we sit before a burning candle and gaze into its light, seeking peace.
Candlelight is a soft light.
Unlike dizzying neon lights, candles only illuminate part of a space.
Let's leave some in the dark.
The light is warm and comfortable.
The bulb is not a functional light that should illuminate all areas evenly.
Rather, candles give us a mysterious, warm, and loving light.
People can look at themselves with soft eyes in the candlelight.
In this delicate light, I truly recognize myself and find the courage to present myself before God.
Here I can acknowledge myself.
--- p.61~62
When Christmas comes around, people want to look like the happiest and most ideal family ever.
But the greater that desire, the more easily the family peace can be broken by even a small difference of opinion.
Children quickly sense the hypocrisy in a home.
The 'happiest family' we desire cannot be created in a short period of time like Christmas.
Christmas is not meant to teach us what the Holy Family looks like.
Rather, it promises that the family will be sanctified by the mystery of God contained within the family itself and by the mystery of each member of the family.
Only those who live with the mystery within themselves, the mystery within their spouse, and the mystery within their children in their hearts can feel comfortable within their family.
Comfort can only be felt where there is mystery.
Christmas reminds us that the mystery of God must be present within our families.
--- p.99~101
Dietrich Bonhoeffer gave us some tips on how to honor our deceased family members during Christmas.
The method is to break off a branch from the Christmas tree and place it on the grave of a deceased family member.
In this way, we can confess our belief that the incarnation of God has given us eternal life and has changed the meaning of our death.
Not only that, but it also gives us the hope that we too will share in the eternal and incorruptible things that are in Jesus.
Candlelight is a soft light.
Unlike dizzying neon lights, candles only illuminate part of a space.
Let's leave some in the dark.
The light is warm and comfortable.
The bulb is not a functional light that should illuminate all areas evenly.
Rather, candles give us a mysterious, warm, and loving light.
People can look at themselves with soft eyes in the candlelight.
In this delicate light, I truly recognize myself and find the courage to present myself before God.
Here I can acknowledge myself.
--- p.61~62
When Christmas comes around, people want to look like the happiest and most ideal family ever.
But the greater that desire, the more easily the family peace can be broken by even a small difference of opinion.
Children quickly sense the hypocrisy in a home.
The 'happiest family' we desire cannot be created in a short period of time like Christmas.
Christmas is not meant to teach us what the Holy Family looks like.
Rather, it promises that the family will be sanctified by the mystery of God contained within the family itself and by the mystery of each member of the family.
Only those who live with the mystery within themselves, the mystery within their spouse, and the mystery within their children in their hearts can feel comfortable within their family.
Comfort can only be felt where there is mystery.
Christmas reminds us that the mystery of God must be present within our families.
--- p.99~101
Dietrich Bonhoeffer gave us some tips on how to honor our deceased family members during Christmas.
The method is to break off a branch from the Christmas tree and place it on the grave of a deceased family member.
In this way, we can confess our belief that the incarnation of God has given us eternal life and has changed the meaning of our death.
Not only that, but it also gives us the hope that we too will share in the eternal and incorruptible things that are in Jesus.
--- p.103
Publisher's Review
“Anselm Grün, the writer who makes us stay in eternity with just one line,
His sentences are a Christmas scene that everyone is waiting for.
“It is the eye of grace that allows us to see the surprising side of things.”
The book begins with the story of Rainer Maria Rilke, who writes in a letter about his childhood memories of his heart pounding in his throat at the sound of Christmas Eve bells.
It is the memory of 'fullness', of not needing anything more.
These sparkling memories associated with Christmas are what make us look forward to this season more than any other.
Of course, as adults we know much more about Christmas, so it doesn't seem as mysterious as it once did, but the unfulfilled longing has deepened, and so we especially look forward to this day, which stirs a deep longing within us.
This Christmas, which comes to everyone, is becoming increasingly busy and is filling the landscape with people passing by.
The author says that the time waiting for Christmas is a still time when people who want to 'go further if they can' to calm their anxiety can finally stop.
It tells us that Christmas is a time to stand still and set the pace of body and soul.
When I read the words of Anselm Grün, a priest who studied theology, philosophy, and psychology, time stops for a moment, and only then does the soul walk at the same pace as the body.
Only then will the grace of seeing the inner self and the other side of the world be bestowed upon us.
Readers can also gain their own perspective by following the landscape the author observed.
Anselm Grün's 'Mystery of Christmas', which he tells to all adults, is a story about the 'mystery of life'.
The author, like his own experience as a monk, guides readers to descend into the depths of their souls and see the world anew with the purity of childhood.
Therefore, Christmas is a time to bring 'newness' not only to yourself but also to your loved ones.
From this, readers are inspired to look at themselves, their families, the times, and the people differently.
The carols he introduces, the star decorations on the tree, and all the stories about gifts will make you feel at home wherever you are.
And your deepest longing will find fulfillment right there.
Therefore, this book is Anselm Grün's most special Christmas gift to adults who want to wait for Christmas in the rest and joy they truly desire, rather than in the idealized form they wish it to be.
And you will understand this from the moment you open the book.
His sentences are a Christmas scene that everyone is waiting for.
“It is the eye of grace that allows us to see the surprising side of things.”
The book begins with the story of Rainer Maria Rilke, who writes in a letter about his childhood memories of his heart pounding in his throat at the sound of Christmas Eve bells.
It is the memory of 'fullness', of not needing anything more.
These sparkling memories associated with Christmas are what make us look forward to this season more than any other.
Of course, as adults we know much more about Christmas, so it doesn't seem as mysterious as it once did, but the unfulfilled longing has deepened, and so we especially look forward to this day, which stirs a deep longing within us.
This Christmas, which comes to everyone, is becoming increasingly busy and is filling the landscape with people passing by.
The author says that the time waiting for Christmas is a still time when people who want to 'go further if they can' to calm their anxiety can finally stop.
It tells us that Christmas is a time to stand still and set the pace of body and soul.
When I read the words of Anselm Grün, a priest who studied theology, philosophy, and psychology, time stops for a moment, and only then does the soul walk at the same pace as the body.
Only then will the grace of seeing the inner self and the other side of the world be bestowed upon us.
Readers can also gain their own perspective by following the landscape the author observed.
Anselm Grün's 'Mystery of Christmas', which he tells to all adults, is a story about the 'mystery of life'.
The author, like his own experience as a monk, guides readers to descend into the depths of their souls and see the world anew with the purity of childhood.
Therefore, Christmas is a time to bring 'newness' not only to yourself but also to your loved ones.
From this, readers are inspired to look at themselves, their families, the times, and the people differently.
The carols he introduces, the star decorations on the tree, and all the stories about gifts will make you feel at home wherever you are.
And your deepest longing will find fulfillment right there.
Therefore, this book is Anselm Grün's most special Christmas gift to adults who want to wait for Christmas in the rest and joy they truly desire, rather than in the idealized form they wish it to be.
And you will understand this from the moment you open the book.
GOODS SPECIFICS
- Date of issue: November 20, 2024
- Format: Hardcover book binding method guide
- Page count, weight, size: 204 pages | 400g | 128*190*13mm
- ISBN13: 9788939885035
- ISBN10: 8939885031
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