John 1:4

". . . and the life was the light of all people."

Donna Schaper

There is a beautiful story recounted every Christmas in the forests of Provence in southern France.  It's about the four shepherds who came to Bethlehem to see the child.  One brought eggs, another bread and cheese, the third brought wine.  And the fourth brought nothing at all.

People called him L'Enchante.  The first three shepherds chatted with Mary and Joseph, commenting on how well Mary looked, how cozy was the cave and how handsome Joseph was in it. What a beautiful starlit night!

Then someone asked, "Where is L'Enchante?"  They searched high and low, up and down, inside and out.  Finally, someone peeked through the blanket hung up against the crib into the crèche. And there kneeling at the crib was L'Enchante.  He stayed the entire night in adoration. (From "Shipwrecked at the Stable," by Brennan Manning.)

Another response, beyond silence and action, to the call from the wild is enchantment. Simple enchantment.  It is what we can see in just one candle.

Prayer

Let us find a little enchantment in one candle.  Amen.

About the Author Donna Schaper is Senior Minister at Judson Memorial Church in New York City. Check out her blog, Grace at Table, at donnaschaper.com.

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