Phillip Brooks
Philip Brooks, the Rector of Holy Trinity located in Philadelphia, wrote “O Little Town of Bethlehem”, immediately following the civil war. One phrase that resonates with me is “so God imparts to human hearts the blessing of his heaven”. In the darkness following the civil war, Philip recognized that God impacts the human heart – that is where Gods presence is known – the heart – the very core of our being. Into our human heart, God pours his blessings. These blessings bridge the ancient separation of heaven and earth as described in the expelling of Adam and Eve from the garden of Eden. The bridge is the Christ-child whose presence continues to guide us as we pray – “come to us, abide in us, our Lord Emmanuel.”
PCD