Daily Nourishment for December 28, 2024: Bring a Torch Jeanette, Isabella with Guidance from Lauren Winner
Daily Nourishment Read Time: 40 seconds
Pause/Prompt/Practice Time: 10-15 minutes
Merry Christmas. Some of this week’s invitations will each respond to a Christmas carol or hymn. Today’s hymn is “Bring a Torch Jeanette, Isabella.”- Lauren
Pause.
Listen to the carol here. Let your body sway to the music.
Prompt.
“Bring a Torch Jeanette, Isabella” opens by instructing Jeanette and Isabella to bring light to the birthplace of Jesus. I love this image: bringing light to the Light of the World. I see Jeanette and Isabella as forerunners of the woman at the well, who, as described in the fourth chapter of the Gospel of John, went to spread the news of her encounter with Jesus to the people in her town.
Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella!
Bring a torch to the stable call!
Christ is born, tell the folk of the village:
Jesus is born, and Mary's calling.
Ah! Ah! Beautiful is the Mother!
Ah! Ah! Beautiful is her Son!
Here are three different pictures of women with candles:
John Collier, All Hallow’s Eve, ca. 1895
Phillip Lindsay Mason, Maiden Voyage, ca. 1969
Georges de la Tour, The Magdalen with the Smoking Flame, ca. 1635-37
Practice.
What happens when you put either the Collier, Mason, or de la Tour in conversation with the hymn? For six minutes, write the two - a lyric and musical text, and a visual image - into relationship with one another.
Want More?
Here’s another wonderful rendering of the song by Tori Amos. And here are the lyrics for her version.
*
Workshops, Gatherings, & Resources
—Become an SDW Insider: (Free) Weekly emails, behind-the-scenes updates, reminders for free SDW Co-Writing sessions, early access to gatherings and retreat registrations, occasional offers and gifts, bonus resources, and more. Email Charlotte at charlotte@charlottedonlon.com to be added to the SDW Insiders.
—Want to feel less alone during the holidays or any time? Read 40 Ways to Feel Less Alone During the Holidays or Any Time.
—New Resource: Parenting with Art® Lectio Divina Cards Information about ordering these cards can be found in my Books + Spiritual Direction + Retreats & Gatherings email newsletter . To stay in the loop on all of my work, writing, book recs, and more, subscribe to that weekly newsletter at charlottedonlon.com/subscribe.
Today’s Daily Nourishment was provided by Lauren Winner. Lauren Winner is a writer, professor, Episcopal Priest, & spiritual director.
Read Lauren’s full bio here.
*Please help us protect our intellectual property, our creative process, and the integrity of our work. Spiritual Direction for Writers® Daily Nourishment is covered under the Spiritual Direction for Writers® trademark. You are welcome to share this link with others, but any other use (written or spoken) is prohibited without written permission from Charlotte Donlon.