The First Day
Wake in the morning
with the Christ child
in your midst,
not distant or near, but here –
tangible and touchable.
Hear his cry, his coo, his sigh,
feel His breath.
Wake in the morning
and know His reality
is not just a dream.
Wake in the morning
with God’s promise
fulfilled.
(c) June G. Paul, All Rights Reserved 2019
I originally wrote this with the word “To” in front of the word Wake – – – – I had a professional calligrapher do artwork of Mary and Joseph holding the baby named Jesus, a stable in the background and calligraphy of the words of the poem. I like the way I edited this poem so many years later, leaving the word ‘to’ out.
I think sometimes, because we are so far removed in years and physical location and surrounded by so many skeptics in the world (and a lot of hateful people too) that it’s sometimes easy to dismiss the fact that God remains true to his promises. Maybe it is so hard for people to comprehend this because there are so many people who do not always remain true to the promises they make. Isn’t that a sad truth? I’d venture to guess that almost every human being alive has broken or reneged on a promise they have made.
When we read or hear about the Christmas Story and the birth of Jesus Christ the word prophecy is often mentioned. Prophecy has been fulfilled – and the references are then given to Old Testament (Hebrew) texts. But the characters in the story, Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph had received current messages from Gabriel, the angel who stands in the presence of God. They didn’t have to wait umpteen years to see the fulfillment of God’s promise – nine months or so is all it took for both couples to experience the fulfillment of the promise.
This isn’t a story about having babies – this isn’t a story about human fidelity – those are things that seem to trivialize the full meaning of God’s promises. This is a story about human beings who have placed their faith and hope in God, it is a story about a God, who is responding to their faithfulness to him and coming to reside with them. This is a story about God’s choosing and about people choosing God. This is a story about God’s promise to love and God’s desire to be loved in this world throughout all people, in all places and all generations.
The characters in this story, all of them, the main characters and the minor ones, were all prepared to share the reason for the faith they have in God, to share the reason for believing that God’s love is real, that God cares. How well prepared are you to share the reason or reasons that you have come to believe in the goodness of God, in God’s faithfulness and promises>? How ready are you to say, “Let it be to me according to your Word. I am the Lord’s servant.” Are you ready? The Lord is waiting for you to say Yes to him.
Let us pray,
Lord, Thank you for remaining true to your promises. Thank you for loving the whole world. Thank you for taking on flesh in the form of a baby child over 2000 years ago and living in this world. Thank you for teaching us to live, to care, to protect, and to love you, ourselves and one another. Help us, in this generation to always be prepared to give a reason for our faith and hope and trust in you. Grant us the gift of your Holy Spirit and continue to draw people to you and your loving grace. AMEN
Wishing you a very Blessed Christmas and Holiday Season – full of Love, Grace and Peace. – June G Paul
(c) 12/26/2019
