Gentle Wool of Christ
By Silent Observer
The perfect sacrifice, so adorable in its character!
Forgiving the ones who wounded Him, and in His humanity
He lamented to His Father.
He caresses us in gentle wool, softening our callous nature.
We offer arms and legs, and great minds of high intellect,
but rarely do we offer our hearts, so warm and tender, to
Our Messiah.
Forgive us, O Lord, and bring us to our home in heaven.
Take us up in the Lamb’s blanket, and let us sleep
At the warm glow of the Spirit’s love forever.
Interview with the Silent Observer
Find her poetry via Instagram @silentobserverpoetry
When I read this poem earlier in the year, it moved my heart and I knew I had to have a conversation with the writer. She is a sweet, faithful soul who I have had the pleasure of knowing. While this interview was conducted in preparation for Allhallowtide, the heart of it is relevant year round. Advent is quickly approaching, and God calls us to remember why we celebrate the Incarnation of His Son. As we walk toward a season of hope, let us find comfort in suffering just like those who were waiting for the Messiah thousands of years ago.
Tell us a little bit about you and your journey with your faith.
My story is that I grew up in a largely non-religious family in Scotland, although my mother did have faith in Christ in a sort of non-denominational way, so I knew a little of Christianity. When I was a teenager, I became an Evangelical Christian, and would attend youth group services and events for about 3 and a half years. I did reject my faith shortly after turning 18, but slowly but surely, God led me back to Him. I started to research Catholicism as I did not know anything about it, and found that so many of the questions that went unanswered as a Protestant came alive in the Catholic Church. I was validly baptized as a Protestant as a baby, so I received Confirmation on Monday 20th February 2023. Praise be to God!
How has poetry influenced your faith?
I very much intermingle my prayer life and my poetic work. One of my favourite prayers is the Anima Christi, and I love praying the English translation of it. It is so rhythmic and theologically rich, so I want my poetry to reflect that kind of depth. My poetry now is a way for me to glorify God and to share His love with others.
This All Hallows Tide we’re highlighting the motto, memento mori (remember your death). This poem strikes me because of the comforting lens you place on death. What inspired you to use imagery such as the gentle wool of Christ?
That is an interesting question, as the poem itself is not about death, but taking comfort in God's mercy through suffering. However, suffering and death are obviously linked, so it certainly fits with the theme.
I used the imagery of the gentle wool of Christ for many reasons. Firstly, the wool of course relates to Jesus being the Lamb of God, and also our Good Shepherd. There is a beautiful paradox in Christ in that he is both our protector and guardian, but also the very sacrifice which gets us in heaven, so I tried to portray that.
Going back to the Anima Christi, the line "Within thy wounds, hide me" always strikes me. There was something about the idea of being wrapped up in Christ's love, safe from distress and worry, that comforted me, and I thought to write a poem about it.
Relating this into the theme of memento mori, I pray that my poem conveys the message that ultimately our home is with God in the beatific vision. That is the main takeaway of this piece, from my perspective.
God bless,
The Silent Observer
Thank you to everyone who bought a copy during our sale! It has been a crazy season; my husband deployed and I moved out of our Florida home with the kids. Now we are living with my parents until my husband returns, and then we’ll begin a new military adventure!
Thank you also for your patience; I have been very slow-moving on the business side to focus on the highest priorities. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know and we will sort it out ASAP!
Thank you all for being on this journey with me!
Through Christ,
Stephanie Petters