Advent 2012 : Day 11

Aroma


Very early in the morning

of that first day,

while it was still dark – 

though the cockerel knew

the light was coming into the world – 

the women took charcoal

and set a fire beneath the iron dome

on which they baked flat bread;

took oil and flour and

kneaded them together,

inseparable;

and stood about – 

under the cockerels bright gaze – 

as the aroma of fresh loaves

and pungent smoke

rose in the House of Bread.

Their conversation darts about like sparrows,

swoops low – 

How will this end? A child born under occupying might – 

then glances off – 

With every birth, hope draws first breath again

and fills its lungs with life.

The cockerel throws his proud head back

in praise and, young and old,

each woman in her heart decides

whatever good and evil is to come,

entwined, they own this son

as theirs.



There are two references to charcoal fires in the Gospels: the fire at which Peter vehemently denied knowing Jesus on the night of his trial, before the cockerel crowed to mark the dawn of the day of crucifixion; and the fire at which the resurrected Jesus makes breakfast as the first act of repairing their friendship.

Jesus’ mother, with other women, went to his tomb on the first day of the week, but found it empty and were informed by an angel that he had risen. Also present at the cross, the women among Jesus’ followers are consistently portrayed in the Gospels as being faithful, in contrast to the fickle men. This is not to say that the women did not need correcting at times. Once, Jesus’ family – his mother, sisters and brothers – came to take charge of him. Jesus responded by redefining and extending his family – mother, sisters, brothers – as those who shared with him in doing the will of his, and their, heavenly Father.

Bethlehem: in Hebrew, House of Bread (and in Arabic, House of Meat).