We gather this Christmas

We gather this Christmas
looking for joy
longing for hope
holding our grief
for what has been
and what is
and what will be
We see a babe lying
in a manger bed
There we find
God present in:
Mary’s pain and doubt
wonder at the unknown
giving birth in this stable cave;
Shepherds washed in fear and
uncertainty, blinded
by angel armies deafening
song, calling
them on;
Joseph’s bewilderment as
his simple life takes
undefined turns wishing
for life as it was,
as it should be;
mothers wailing
gut wrenching
despair holding their
murdered sons,
sacrificed
on Herod’s paranoia and
resentment;
Foreign Magi risky questing and
wise searching entering
hostile lands looking.
We see a babe lying
in a manger bed
There we find
God present in
our story
our grief
Christmas joy.
God declares
this world and all
people worthy
For God is
with us
present
utterly committed
even now ushering
hope and wholeness
gifting joy.
Hallelu
Hallelu
 

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