after the Christmas storm

The Child Has Grown

The child has grown,
The man has traveled on,
The suffering God,
   has been taken down from the cross,
The dead has risen,
   and the tomb is empty.

The grove is silent,
The temple still.

He is not standing still,
He moves faster than light,
Comprehending the universe,
Hearing a child's prayer.

He bids us to follow.

We Understand

We want to be home for Christmas,
By the tree drinking wassail and eggnog,
Eating candy canes and fruitcake
Laughing with our family.

We want to be children again,
Waiting for Santa Claus
Immersed in magic again.

And there is magic still,
The kind we'll never outgrow,
Because now we understand,
So much more.

We understand the innkeeper,
Because we've been busy,
And overwhelmed before.

I understand Joseph,
Because I am a father,
And have watched the miracle of birth.

Jean understands Mary,
Because she has been great with child,
to be born of covenant and promise.

We understand the shepherds,
Because we have seen miracles,
And we want to run and see.

We understand the angels,
Because we too want to sing:
"Peace on earth, good will to men."

We understand the magi,
As we seek the King,
Carrying a sacred gift.

Tonight, this Christmas Eve,
We understand,
Loved and loving,
Blessed and blessing.

Merry Christmas.

Letting Go

Letting go,
I hold more.
My open hands
Hold more,
My open eyes
See more,
My open ears
Hear more,
My open mind
Knows more,
My open heart
Loves more
Of this day,
Loves life,
Loves you.

winter flowers

solstice in horizontal

A Christmas Prayer

Father,
I put down the string of lights
That I hope will work,
To thank thee.

Thou hast already decorated our home
With sun, moon, and  stars,
With flowers and leaves.

Thou hast sent birds singing
Simple, wild carols,
A joy to our hearts.

Thou hast provided a feast,
Our daily bread,
And enough to share.

And thous hast given
The greatest gift
Wrapped in swaddling clothes.

Father,
Wilt thou receive my gift,
Humbly wrapped, already broken?
My heart, as taught thy Son,
My Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen.