For Christmas

Wonted scenes and ancient sounds
bring word of Mary’s treasure found
by shepherd and magi rapt in light
from a child, still, and wrapped in night.

When God said ‘hush’ to pride and fall,
through a babe asleep in a lean-to stall,
prophets smiled at the angels’ delight:
The Word, flesh, and wrapped in night.

As subjects bowed and heavens danced,
Joseph touched gold and sensed fragrance,
but none could dim this wakeful sight:
The Son, here, and wrapped in night.

The stillness came and sped away,
the sun emerged and birthed a day;
through many more he knew our plight -
The Man, once still, and wrapped in night.

From stall to cross, a span so brief -
from Mary’s arms to the side of a thief,
from splintered stable to Roman spike
The Lamb, once held, and wrapped in night.

Today with shepherds we attend
A child at rest in her arm’s soft bend -
come down to rise to a Calvary height
in darkness deep, but wrapped in light.


Tim