Christmas, 1996
12 fans running to keep the house cool,
11 loads of laundry before we start school.
10 of us, counting two dogs and a bird, that’s
9 bags of groceries to fill up this herd.
8 each of diapers and bottles and burps,
7 times seventy soothing of hurts.
6 places set at the end of the day,
5 children ready to tuck in and pray.
4 hands keep busy with this and with that,
3 hours fly at the drop of a hat.
2 wealthy people lay down for a rest,
Thinking of Christmas and feeling so
blessed…
1 overcrowded, impetuous place,
1 worn out innkeeper offering grace
To 1 dirty man looking shaken and pale
And 1 pregnant woman quite weakened and frail.
1 stable smelling of animal waste,
Maybe 1 meal quite meager of taste.
1 anxious night filled with groaning and pain,
1 baby’s birth, leaving His first stain.
1 makeshift bed made of manger and straw,
1 mom and dad filled with wonder and awe;
For in that 1 moment, God sent His own Son,
And only they knew that this Child was the
One!
1 strange young hermit preparing His start.
12 simple laymen drawn close to His heart.
1 by 1 come cripples, lepers and blind,
1 by 1 healing and new life they find.
1 learns forgiveness, another His grace,
1,000’s surrounding Him, seeking His face.
1 by 1 stories and parables told,
1 by 1 fulfilling prophecies old.
1 pompous handful of leaders and scribes,
1 fearful follower weakened with bribes.
1 kangaroo court and 1 angry crowd,
1 by 1 followers frightened and cowed.
1 soldier mocks Him, 1 spits, they all laugh,
Not knowing 1 veil would soon tear in half,
Not 1 bit prepared for the rumbling earth
Nor darkening sun that would shatter their mirth.
From 1 wooden cross to 1 tomb sealed with stone,
1 grand resurrection and on to the Throne!
Oh death, where is victory? Where is your sting?
1 born a wee baby, now rules as the King.
1 Light in the darkness, 1 Way, Truth and Life,
1 giving oneness to husband and wife,
Rest for the weary 1’s, forever Friend,
The One who is Savior brings life without
end…
~ae
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