CHRISTMAS DAY: FROM PRESENTS TO PRESENCE

THE GIFTS OF JESUS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE IN OUR LIVES
(Sunday, December 25th)

Present: something presented; gift; something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation

Presence: one that is present; something present of a visible or concrete nature; something (such as a spirit) felt or believed to be present

HOPE

Mary clings to the tiny hand
and Hope wells deep inside.
She knows not what is yet in store
but she knows that by her side
is the One in whom the promise
that was made has now been kept,
so every challenge, every joy
she can now accept.

PEACE

The Magi come to bear their gifts
and fall upon their knees
as they place their treasures and themselves
in surrender and release.
And Peace then comes upon them
and abides with them, as they
let go of their own plans and routes
to go another way.

JOY

The sheep begin to frolic
while the shepherds are amazed
at the news that comes before them
in jubilance and praise.
With Joy then jumping in their souls
they go to tell the story:
God is present in a baby
and we have seen his glory!

LOVE

Joseph quietly stands beside
in humble, selfless Love.
He knows his role is minor
for the Father is above.
He then falls in adoration
when filled with reverent awe.
His story is a small one
but his impact is for all.

SO

Thank you for these gifts, dear God,
of Hope and Joy and Peace,
and your greatest gift we have in Christ –
the Love that will not cease.
Like Mary, may we cling to you,
Like Joseph, may we fall,
Like shepherds, may we learn to jump,
Like Magi, surrender all ~
that we may feel your presence
more fully and more near,
and our lives become a present
for this world you hold so dear.

Happy Holidays, dear friends! I hope you have been blessed this Advent season. Thank you for your presence here.
Karen 🙂

http://Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash