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-doo.

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 merited 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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