Ode to Christ, babe and King

I captured this poem three years ago as it came line by line, verse by verse, in rapid succession. It remains one of my favorite Christmas reminders of the incredible turnabout played out the night Christ was born. Was it something like this that went through Joseph’s and Mary’s mind? We have the hindsight of history; they were new parents in a Story never told before – or again…

The pain increased, then did subside

As newborn babe lay by her side

And the Voice that called the worlds to birth

Now as a baby cried

 

His tender skin, so smooth and soft

Scratched by the hay in manger loft

Would one day bleed from whips and scars

As His kingly robes He doffed

 

His tiny fingers ‘round Joseph’s tight

father to Father bonded that night

The hands that did the worlds form

curled softly, tho’ full of might

 

He gazed into His mother’s eyes,

This One whose vision filled the skies

with galaxies and stars by name,

Trusting in her heart so wise

 

Simplicity and Purity

Met face to face – reality

The natural womb the Spirit birthed –

This Son full of mystery

 

How be it that two humble folk

Should teach this One the Word He spoke?

Should nurse at breast the Bread of Life?

As from Heaven He awoke

 

Though centuries have come and gone

His Timeless story still lives on

In humble heart welcoming Him

Eternal morning dawns…

 

When one day we awake like Him

No longer bound to earth and sin

Cradled He’ll hold His precious ones –

Completed circle then.

(Nancy Bentz, Christmas 2007)

Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas, filled with ever increasing joy and peace in your Wellspring of Life. Merry Christmas with Christ’s love, Nanc