Visions Of Grandeur - Hildegard Of Bingen

1098–1179

She was quite possibly the most creative woman ever. Hildegard dazzled twelfth-century Germany with her output—seventy songs, three books of theology, a gospel commentary, a musical play, writings on science and nature, and drawings to dress up those books. She advised popes and bishops, led a convent, took preaching tours, and invented her own language. And it all began with visions—or migraine headaches—that started at age three.

By modern standards, her childhood was odd. Perhaps because of her visions, or because she was their tenth child (a “tithe”), or because they wanted to curry favor with church leaders, her parents committed her upbringing to the church. She was confined in a convent with a holy woman who taught her the basics of faith, as well as reading and writing. It seems her outside contacts were quite limited. Apart from her guardian, who didn’t know much beyond the basics, and a visiting monk who taught her music, she was probably alone a lot. Alone to think and draw and compose. Alone with her visions.

In her thirties she became head of the convent, and only in her forties did she begin writing down her visions (after a vision commanded her to do so). And then the creativity that had been incubating for decades poured out of her. Songs and books and hundreds of letters came forth in a grand and unique style. Though women were generally kept from public speaking, Hildegard had four preaching tours of Germany, criticizing church corruption and calling for reform.

Strictly speaking, she was not well educated—and maybe this was part of her appeal. Universities were being founded at this time, and scholars were busy codifying human knowledge. Hildegard was free of all that, free to see God’s world in God’s light.

Maybe you’re uneasy with all this talk of visions. Maybe, like many modern scholars, you assume Hildegard simply suffered migraines. But there’s still treasure in her story. Despite her (literally) cloistered childhood, Hildegard was able to enlighten the world with her trust in God, her desire to serve him, and the courage to use her stunning creativity.

No matter where you come from, surely you can do that too.

I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions.

Joel 2:28