Sharon’s Christmas Prayer

Sharon's Christmas Prayer

She was five,
sure of the facts,
and recited them
with slow solemnity
convinced every word

was revelation.

She said

they were so poor
they had only peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
to eat
and they went a long way from home
without getting lost. The lady rode
a donkey, the man walked, and the baby
was inside the lady.
They had to stay in a stable
with an ox and an ass (hee-hee)
but the Three Rich Men found them
because a star lited the roof.
Shepherds came and you could
pet the sheep but not feed them.
Then the baby was borned.
And do you know who he was?

Her quarter eyes inflated
to silver dollars.

The baby was God.

And she jumped in the air
whirled round, dove into the sofa
and buried her head under the cushion
which is the only proper response
to the Good News of the Incarnation.

John Shea, The Hour of the Unexpected.

My friends in Christ,
May we all jump in the air, whirl around, dive into the sofa and bury our head under the cushion— which is the only proper response to the Good News of the Incarnation. May you have a blessed Christmas celebration with family and friends and may you take time to sit at the manger and cradle the newborn King who came just for you.

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Sue Beadle