Life is a Garden Party

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Nativity

 Nativity

It's unpacked first
before the rest -
the nativity,
for all to see.

The stable crude
with a cow that mooed
and a donkey gray
laying in the hay.

Perhaps there are fowl
or a barnyard owl.
Maybe sheep and goats
with wooly winter coats.

If you listen you might hear
the barnyard animals cheer
with bleats and brays and moos and coos
and even a cock-a-doodle-do.

Look inside the stable and you'll find
Joseph and his wife Mary, so kind,
bending over the manger bed
where baby Jesus laid his head.

The manger, the animals feeding trough,
filled with hay so it wouldn't be rough
was shared by the animals that night.
A night filled with surprise and delight.

Weary from their trip and from childbirth
this night God sent his only son to earth
Mary and Joseph sent a prayer of praise
to thank God for His wonderful ways.

For a safe trip through the hills
and a warm place to stay filled
with animals
was special.

There's the angel hovering 
who told the shepherds abiding
that Jesus Christ was born
in the town of Bethlehem.

See, the shepherds are here
with lambs and sheep near
to see this Savior
who would bring favor.

For the angel announced "good tidings
of great joy" to the shepherds abiding
and they hurried to Bethlehem
to see this divine newborn.

So awed by this reverent event
the shepherds told wherever they went
all they had seen and heard.
Today this news is still heard.

All those who heard were amazed
with wonderment at this new phase
and bore witness of this news.
Good news for me and you.

If you look up in the sky
you'll see a bright star up high
much larger than the rest
coming from the west.

In the distance you might see
camels clumping through the trees
laden with packages to give as presents
from wise men who seek the Christ-child's presence.

These presents we read,
amounted to three:
gold, frankincense, and myrrh -
for a king they were.

Next time you get out your nativity
be reminded of this first Christmas story
for its story never grows old
no matter how often it's told.

* * * * *

There's always something that grabs my attention.
This year it was 'glory' that grabbed my attention.
Luke 2:9 "The glory of the Lord shone around"
when the angel spoke to the shepherds on the ground...

"Glory to God in the highest..."
for God's name is above the rest.
Giving glory to God should be
our catch-phrase until eternity.

And when that day does come
when our earthly work is done
giving God the glory
will be our life's story.

When we do give God the glory
God's glory will shine all around.
So do give God glory instead of worry.
You'll find blessings abundant will abound.

An angel of the Lord appeared to them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them...
Luke 2:9

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host
appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest"...

Luke 2:13


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