Elder Brother in Christ and the Orthodox Faith, far greater poet than I am
or that, by any amount of effort, shall be:
I am thankful, however, to learn that we agree
that the recorded prophecy
of the unbelieving prophet Balaam,
son of Beor, was not given entirely
to Moabite perfidy,
nor other enemies nor botchers,
but was preserved among the Magi, those Starwatchers---
who looked for the Star of Christ that rose ahead
of the morning Sun, and directed them
on their pilgrimage to Bethlehem.
By their Faith, not the Star, they were led.
Starward
Author's Notes/Comments:
This poem is founded upon the fifth stanza of Romanos' Kontakion On The Nativity Of Christ, in which he asserts---with his authentic authority as a major poet of the Orthodox Faith---that the Magi, or Starwatchers, had preserved Balaam's prophecy among their fellowship, and it taught them to expect to see the Lord's Star. At the proper time, they observed the Star's heliacal rising ahead of the sun, as they reported to Herod the Great in Matthew 2:2. Herod's assembled the religious scholars who provided the Starwatchers with the prophecy of Michah 5:2.
I do not believe the Star was a guidance system; Scripture, and not the Star, led them to the Christchild in Bethlehem. However the Star's heliacal appearance told them the time was right, and then its acronychal rising in Matthew 2:9-10 to confirm Michah's prophecy.
There is a fascinating
There is a fascinating connection, centuries apart, but still viable, between you and Saint Romanos The Melodist, Great Poet and your brother in the Orthodox Faith. Both of you, gifted with the same melodious eloquence, were intrigued and stricken by the same prediction by an unlikely prophet and its awe-inspiring fulfillment.
In case you are questioning my assertion that you share the same stately, reverent style of Saint Romanos, I felt compelled to read the work you referenced in the notes. Usually when you write a tribute or a poem after another poet, I will do my homework so I can better appreciate your perspective and emotions.
As I read the gorgeous Orthodox homily, I noticed a similarity in intonation, devoutness and emotive power to the plethora of poems I've had the pleasure of reading here, on your page, these past years. I've been reading poetry for at least as long as you have, so I believe I have some credibility on this subject.
Now the last line: that conclusion is like the morning sun that followed the Star. It is a gale of angelic trumpets, a flourish of song, an opening to God. No, I'm not overstating because here is the path through the brambles that would snare us all around on our way to forever. Not by sight, however dazzling, but by faith, we must be led.
So much to unpack in this highly significant tribute and I treasured every moment of it.
I am overwhelmed and humbled
I am overwhelmed and humbled by your comments' words. Your explication of the connection between me and Romanos reminds me also to cherish and cultivate the connection I have to my contemporary Poets, especially yourself.
Western Christianity has never attempted to explain why the Starwatchers traveled to Bethlehem. But that reason has been known in Orthodoxy since Romanos published his Nativity Poem, and now I have appropriated it.
Believe forgive me for the brevity of this comment. The therapy and long walk I had today has left me rather exhausted. I mean no disrespect.
Starward
No need to apologize. Ever!
No need to apologize. Ever! The way you, without fail, acknowledge comments on your posts is an example to others. And it's great news that you're taking long walks. Good for you! God bless.