Where are the humble kings? Those who do nothing but what their father tells them to do? Where are those who set aside power who leave glory who serve who wash the feet of friend and foe who wear sandals who cook fish on the shore who feed multitudes with a few fish and rolls who change water to wine for wedding guests who walk with, feed, and touch those deemed unclean who spend time with those others shun who come not to judge, but to save who give their lives for their people. Where is a King of uncommon love? Look to a manger. Look to a cross. Then come. Come, let us adore Him.
What is the best gift but food for one who is hungry, and drink for one who thirsts? For those who feel most unlovable, love feels most crucial, yet most inaccessible. For those who’ve done wrong, the most meaningful gift is forgiveness in full. For this, God set His power aside to be born of a virgin as a helpless newborn boy, reliant on a woman’s breast for nourishment, heart for love, and her tutelage and care for survival and growth. For this, Christ Jesus came: to feed, to love, to quench, and to fully forgive.
The extravagance of the season, embodied: God wrapped in infant.
(Full disclosure: I decided to write this haibun, using the final 17 syllables I’d written many years ago. May the Gift of this season settle into your own heart.)
My place atop the Christmas tree may seem a lofty place for me, but humbly, I point down below through greenery and lights aglow to manger scene that holds the Christ who paid the price in sacrifice for every woman, man, and child – this perfect Lamb – this undefiled Rescuer, Redeemer, God I represent, and richly laud.
Written in response to Walt Wojtanik’s prompt at Poetic Bloomings to write about Christmas from the point of view of an inanimate object.If you look closely, you can see the cross that tops my Christmas tree.
The last twenty four hours – bearer of agonizing anguish and hideous horror. Had I known what was to come, I would have stayed away – far away from you.
And I would have safeguarded myself from this enslaving loss. I would have listened to your compelling lessons – your world-altering truths. But I would have kept my distance
… and I, I would have sat not at your feet, but the foot of the hill. I’d have sought your perfect rest, but not at your breast.
And I can’t think of Judas and how you knew. You knew. And how Peter did just as you said – denied you. Three times denied you, and I … I wouldn’t have believed it.
The others you called, scattered. Frightened. Confused. Afraid for their lives, perhaps. And I, myself, afraid.
But the women … oh, the women … how they were there for you today along Golgotha’s way! They wiped your wounded face listened to your howls of pain watched your mother’s horror wailed until your life left and your silence spilled.
But the women remained (chained to image and sound that will never be loosed) – produced a ceaseless cry.
“Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.” ~ Matthew 21:1-5
At Christmastime, reflecting on our God, I see a rich and sumptuous show of grace. A story so enthralling bids me laud A baby boy, born in a lowly place.
God simply breathed, and life then came to be. He spoke-spilled stars that move at His command. He fashioned sand and man, and shell and sea, This God who values meek, as well as grand.
So when it came to paying debt of sin, He chose to do the grandest thing of all In such a way that awes me deep within: Majestic use of unforeseen, and small.
A vulnerable newborn was His means, Born of a humble woman in her teens.
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” ~ Isaiah 7:14
“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).” ~ Matthew 1:18-23
“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” ~ Matthew 1:21
pictured words 