What We're Saying

In the spirit of Christmas, I’d like to give you a gift.  A gift from Christmases past – greetings actually, from the Rev. Dr. Herbert Henry Gowen, a priest in this diocese from 1897-1960.

For years, friends of Dr. and Mrs. Gowen looked forward to receiving the Gowen’s Christmas greeting card as one of the brightest events in the holiday season.  Every year Dr. Gowen composed a Christmas poem for the card and every year Mrs. Gowen prepared the cards and sent them out.

The Archives is fortunate in having many of these Christmas cards in its collections and I’d like to share a few of them with you now along with excerpts from the poems.

Christmas 1930.  'The Well of Waiting.'  Herbert H. Gowen

Introduction: 'On July 29 of this past summer, Mrs. Gowen and I, on the way to Bethlehem, tarried awhile at the well...reputed to be the well where the Wise Men made their last stop before entering the city. The following lines may be regarded as appropriate upon the lips of many besides the Magi.'  H.H.G.

'All weary and athirst, but most of all perplexed...So came we to the Well, the Well of Waiting...But, lo' e'en as the blessed gift we quaffed, Like silver cord let down from heaven, a ray Smote on the cup upraised for the draught, And bathed the well in glory as of day.  So knew we God close by, communicating With us beside the Well, the Well of Waiting...And, looking upward, we beheld that star Which, long ago, had sent us on our quest, Stedfastly moving towards its goal from far, And feeding fire of faith within our breast.  Oh, here at last, our yearning spirits sating, The Well becomes no more the Well of Waiting.  Now light of heart, we hasten to the town, The little town despised by priest and king;- There we shall bend in worship, there lay down The treasures which from distant climes we bring; Henceforth within, all doubt annihilating, Our hearts shall keep this Well, the Well of Waiting.'

Christmas 1931. 'Nocturne.'  Herbert H. Gowen

'It was Christmas night in the country; The stars were shining bright; A hush in the air seemed to whisper: "Prepare, To-night is the night!"  And the beasts stood round in the stable, Fulfilled with great content; They seemed to ken what was hidden from men, To know what God meant.  For the Ox lowed: "Born is the Christ-child." The Ass made question: "Where?" The Ox replied: "On yonder hill-side." Come! Thither we fare!"

And the Lamb cried: "Yea, let us hasten, Nor let us wait for dawn." So the Ass and the Ox and the Lamb of the flocks Came where He was born...'

Christmas 1936.  'The Christmas Rose.'  Herbert H. Gowen

'On the night that Jesus was born A Shepherdess, all forlorn, Saw the shepherds set out on their way - Saw them hurry their offering to lay At the feet of the new-born King.  Then the thought of that wonderful thing Proclaim'd from the star-spangled sky Escaped from her lips like a sigh: "Oh, how can I hear the call of high Heaven And yet have no gift for the Gift God has given?"

Yet she went on her lonely way, With naught but the kindly ray Of the star-lit heavens to guide...As slowly the wearied feet Sought Bethlehem's narrow street. For how could she wish Him a Happy Birthday, If she had no gift at His feet to lay?  But...As the childish steps and slow could no further onward go, Gabriel, sent with aid For the wearied, weeping maid...The angel smiled and his face Cast a glory about the place; In that glory, all fragrant and sweet The maiden beheld at her feel, Like flowers of Paradise New-fallen as snow from the skies, Blossoms that sprang to birth From her tears on this kindly earth. What must she do with flowers so sweet But bear them to Bethlehem to lay at His feet?

Then, light as the wind and swift, Joyous she flew with her gift: She found and followed the light That shone afar through the night; Entered, and cast at His feet Her burden of blossoms sweet; Caught the smile in the Baby's eyes Like a gleam from serener skies. Now is she freed from all her woes, Since the King has accepted her Christmas Rose.

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Best Wishes from the Diocese of Olympia Archives

Christmas 2011

Diane Wells, CA