Moonrise

 I woke this morning to this spectacular display: 

Mistake not: This is not a sunrise, but, in fact, a moonset.  It was stunningly gorgeous.  

I could capture only a small sliver of the magnitude of this beautiful moonset, staring with gaping mouth and the cat below me shocked into her own little feline awe [as well as completely insulted that I dare open the window and expose her to the 9 degree morning]. 

I have a deep fascination and love for the Moon.  She is a glowing orb in the sky yet does not produce her own light.  She is a mystery, but one that man has exposed himself to; She is a counterpart to the Sun but allows herself to be stared at, reflected upon, used, and widely shared.  One's eyes do not burn out if one stares at her too long, one does not get a terrible burn on their skin after being exposed to her too long nor does one see her in the same shape or form from day to day.  It's quite miraculous, really, and a testament to the ages of old who first shared how the mysteries of the moon are really a symbol of the Blessed Mother.  

She presides over a cycle which even the Church follows in planning events such as the date for Easter and, in turn, Pentecost.  She illumines the night, ever watchful in those dark hours of fear, loneliness, and loss, as only a good mother can.  She is there to stare at and ponder the wonder of creation, but not too proud to blind out the beauty of the stars and sky; she enhances them.  She draws us near as she draws the tides of the water.  She is ever present yet allows herself to disappear when the glory of the Sun [Son] shines each day.  

This morning's display was a wonder, but really quite prescient as we approach the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in only a few short days.  This awe-inspiring moon precursors the awe and inspiration of Mary's origin - specifically that she was conceived without sin in preparation of her Fiat, allowing her womb to carry the Divine Christ child.  

These winter days, so full of cold, chill, snow, ice, and darkness are actually some of the most spiritually rich so long as we enter fully into the mystery that is Christ and The Church.  They provide ample opportunity both in rich detail within the Advent and Christmas season, but also in earthly examples.  There is nothing more cozy and beautiful than the necessity of a fire to warm the body when it is literally freezing outside.  Or more miraculous than a hot shower when it's single digits out the door.  The trick is one must look for it, or the hustle and bustle of commerce will steal it all away in one quick swoop.  

Jesus urges us to Stay Awake!  Keep Watch!  

So we must.  We must be guardians of our lives and what noise we let in for God's whisper is like the light of that moon: fleeting, quiet, and slow.  If I had woken 10 minutes later, this display would have disappeared.  It did disappear and I was ever-grateful I was allowed to see it.  But had I not Been Awake!  I would not have.  I'm sure there are countless other mornings, evenings and every 'ings' in between where I haven't been awake and missed the mystery trying to awaken my soul.  Praise God it wasn't today.