May you have time to breathe life afresh this Christmas

THIS BETHLEHEM SPOT

Was Jesus born
in this Bethlehem spot?
Not a nice stable at the back of an inn,
but the animal end
of an ordinary house-cave
among the dung and the feed?

Did Mary breathe deep,
hold and push
in this underground smoke darkened shrine?

Did Joseph stand helpless
among the men
safe away from the
blood, pain and tears
around a fire warmed
against the winter chill?


Did the whenua of God
lie on this
star shaped spot
where millions have prayed?
Is it here God inhaled that life giving breath,
and exhaled that first joyful cry?


I don’t know!
And none of it matters…
Unless Jesus is born in me
this Christmas
Unless I breathe life afresh
with God
Unless I leave the helpless men
at the safe end of my cave
and join the woman in the
messy hand dirtying work
of giving birth to God’s world today.


May you have time to breathe life afresh this Christmas


John Hebenton tssf
Anglican Youth Network Facilitator: Tikanga Pakeha
Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia
15 Farm Street, Mount Maunganui 3116, NZ
e-mail: aynf.tp@clear.net.nz
Ph: (+64 7) 574 0079, Fax: (+64 7) 574 0079, Mobile +64 21 679202

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