Christmas
Poetry 2015
Lord, save us from the dark of our
striving,
Faithless, and troubled hearts.
With each day we live, we’re dying,
It’s with this poem my repentance starts:
From closing the year, socializing, and
shopping,
December’s pressures are many.
Focus on the schedule isn’t helped by
stopping,
Even though this month has as many days as
any.
The culture of marketing and sales,
Begets a frenzy of doing and seeing.
But what is truly the wind in our sails,
Came down to earth as a human being.
School’s out and the decorations are
sublime,
Lights are twinkling and glowing.
Some survive one day at a time,
They feel depressed without even showing.
Are we surprised by joy,
Can we live outside ourselves?
What’s the latest toy,
Flying off the shelves?
Seasons greeting, happy holidays,
Just don’t say Merry Christmas!
Cheer is passed along in many ways,
I love the name Immanuel (which means
"God with us").
So many years ago on that Silent Night,
Jesus condescended.
By this he made all things right,
It's hard to be comprehended.
Now all the sleigh-bells ringing,
Don’t mean as much.
As to Jesus we’re clinging,
Changed by his touch.
Let all the earth fear the Lord.
Let all who dwell in the world stand in awe
of him.
We read the Christmas story in God’s holy
word,
And all together we sing a hymn.
Maybe it’s, “On Dasher, on Rudolf,”
And the rest of the crew.
You know their names,
You probably do.
Blitzen rhymes with Nixon,
What else can you say?
It’s Christmas ya’ll, and Santa’s fixin’
To ride up on a sleigh
He arrives in a couple of days.
The stockings are stuffed.
We’ve come up with so many ways,
To fill this month with fluff.
Is it different this year?
Or do we just get through it.
Hold your loved ones near,
And try to intuit:
“Peace is possible,
In our hearts we know it’s true.
But the story is improbable,
And it comes down to you?”
Away in a manger,
A baby was born.
To King Herod there was danger,
On that ancient Christmas morn.
They brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh,
A star guided Kings near.
I'm too busy wondering what to buy her,
Probably another kitchen utensil this year?
The baby grew and
He preached and he served.
Jesus teachings unraveled,
And the leaders were unnerved.
Christmas starts the story,
That morning ends at Calvary.
When Jesus in His glory,
Sets us all free. (Happy Easter)
So celebrate, feast, and gather;
The year is at its end!
But know what is the matter:
Jesus was born to save, Amen.
©Mark H. Pillsbury (2015)
