Starlit
warming thoughts of Christmas, 2020
Homeless But Starlit
The cold was way too much And COVID shut the doors Of coffee shops he used for warmth So many times before. Where he would share
The threads of life As elders, children came And specially in the Christmas month Alive with Jesus’ name. But this year he hunched by a wall That blocked most bitter wind. A heat vent gave out precious help No one would see or mind. And sky was dark and crackling clear A few stars seemed quite near And one light so much bigger Two planets lined this year. His thoughts moved t’ward the Manger In David’s Town that night The present stress relieved by this Yeah, things would be alright. This Homeless Man gave his “Amen” For Peace and Joy all ‘round Transported back to Holy Days Where God’s great care was found.
Fall Down and Worship
I have the wisdom of the East Have studied the stars Poured over the ancient scrolls Made discoveries like thunderbolts. But now I journey With some learned friends And the trip seems “One-of-a-kind”. A King is expected The fates tremble with anticipation.
Even our desert mounts Sense a change As they plod and jangle Over the miles. The heavenlies show One Great Star In unprecedented alignment. We are onto something. Gifts in hand. David’s City comes into view. The small house…the doting little mother. The Child in precious simplicity. We have found the Truth. We fall down And worship Him. No longer able to stand On our own two feet. (Matthew 2: 11)
The Birthing The calendar readies us And even in this twenty twenty Whispers joy, joy, joy To the innermost man
Talk about oppression Talk about stiff, contentious religion Talk about battle threats Talk about double-speak from The Powers. They had them all in spades. But a young woman Had Joy in her eyes Faith on her lips And Messiah in her belly. A Husband honoured Godly dreams And made an awkward Way to Bethlehem. We must also make that way To our Gift, His Glory Gloria in Excelsius Deo.
Prayer: There is magic in the air, sounds and smells. Around the world, we observe a cherished regard for the Bethlehem Evening in astounding humility. God visits from another Realm in another form. Truly a human Baby safely swaddled away in the midst of placid animals and adoring people both small and great. The earth receives her King, her Promise. Thank you Heavenly Father, for such Heavenly images of Hope and Blessing. Amen.
Midnight Christmas Mass, a painting by French Canadian artist Clarence Gagnon (1881-1942)