Lord of the Dance

Think of the magic of the foot, comparatively small,
upon which your whole weight rests. It's a miracle,
and the dance is a celebration of that miracle. - Martha Graham

7 year old has been taking Irish dance since she was a wee lass -
our motive simply joy - to dance!
For a life that celebrates, for lively family gatherings;
for a spirit that rejoices,  and a body
that can express what words can only intimate.
To empower her to move through the happiest
and the saddest parts of life
with a heart lightened by the lift and lilt of the celts.
This weekend was her first feis - with hundreds of dancers
working out their nerves in the back of the room,
parents anxiously waiting and watching,
fussing (who knew about sock glue?)
and photographing.
I sat in the front on the floor,
amazed at her composure, and took it all in. 

She placed in the reel and light jig, excited to get a medal for each.

It was when I saw the medals that this alone came rushing to my heart...

Christ at the center of it all.

and while I've no doubt there will be other competitions,

the real gift of dance is already there,

May our eyes remain fixed on that prize!

I danced in the morning when the world was begun

I danced in the Moon & the Stars & the Sun
I came down from Heaven & I danced on Earth
At Bethlehem I had my birth:
Dance then, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He!
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said He!
I danced for the scribe & the pharisee
But they would not dance & they wouldn't follow me
I danced for fishermen, for James & John
They came with me & the Dance went on:
I danced on the Sabbath & I cured the lame
The holy people said it was a shame!
They whipped & they stripped & they hung me high
And they left me there on a cross to die!
I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black
It's hard to dance with the devil on your back
They buried my body & they thought I'd gone
But I am the Dance & I still go on!
They cut me down and I leapt up high
I am the Life that'll never, never die!
I'll live in you if you'll live in Me -
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He!