The prologue:
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night …”
Winter’s chill is in the air, and the moon is a sliver of frozen light,
The world pauses, and silence wraps the shepherds in a holy hush.
The black crystal canvas of the sky reflects white flaming stars.
Singing voices, indescribable, suddenly overwhelm the waiting night.
A rhythm unknown to man came from the heavenly angel band.
The setting:
“…there was no room for them in the inn.”
The travelers are offered a musty stable backed into the stony hillside,
A shelter found; a refuge, for a working man and his expectant wife.
There is a stirring, and others gather as the birthing time draws near.
Cows, donkeys, and sheep draw together taking it all in stride.
The mother softly weeps, while her husband the vigil keeps.
The coming:
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
The baby Jesus is born; the celebration of glory, gentle but swift,
While Bethlehem sleeps on, God took His first breath.
This night, the soul of believing of man, became heaven-bound.
With purpose, the Lord came, bringing salvation, an eternal gift.
He grew, and followed His Father’s plan, the Son of God, Son of Man!
The life:
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”
A carpenter, and an humble fisher of men; a roamer he came,
Turning lives, calling men, answering His Father’s call.
Blessed with healing in His fingers, and with words to fill the thirsty soul,
Trust, and have faith in Him, for heaven is offered in His name.
In contemplation, I kneel in place, so amazed by His saving grace.
His destiny:
Calvary.
“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him…” Luke 22:33a
Without the reason for His coming, His birth would just be a beautiful story.
The epilogue:
Still He lives, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2*) through His Holy Spirit dwelling in you and me. “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever…” John 24:16*
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These words I have heard through the years, express so well (in part) who He is in reality. They remind me, call me and impart to me, a longing for His presence.
1. “He is the eternal who took on time.”
2. “He is the hope of the world.”
3. “He is the infinite who took on infancy.”
4. “Bound by a manger, freedom came.”
5. “He is God, son of God; seed of woman.”
6. “He is God come down.”
7. “He is mine.”
Be blessed at Christmas, hold Him close throughout the year.
(* All scripture is the old King James Version, which I consider most appropriate for the telling of Christmas; I am drawn to its poetic verse, and the way it pierces and speaks to my heart. It is my prayer these few words will lure you to fill in the missing parts by reading once again the beautiful and powerful story of our King’s birth; it is found in many of the Bible’s books, I especially enjoy Luke 2.)
Rhea