COVENANT

The world
is still
wounded –

one long
jagged scar
throbbing.

And yet
this blessing.
This amazing

luminous
blessing in
the shape of

a baby comes
to us each
year. Comes

quietly, in the
midst of winter
when all seems

barren and dead –
bringing the
promise of

our deepest life.

 

SONG FOR THE POOR AT CHRISTMAS

We have romanticized
this birth – very nearly
sanitized the reality

away. The truth is
this baby was born
into poverty. There

was no room for him.
No hospital – no clean
sheets – no doctors or

nurses in attendance.
There were animals
and outcasts around

him. His own parents
exhausted and far
from home. This is

how our God chose
to come into the
world. He chose

poverty – and I
imagine he would
choose it still.

He would choose to
be close to those
with nothing – those

who had room for
wonder. It makes
me wonder where

we are – where
Jesus would be born
today.

 

INVOCATION

The angels
are
waiting.

Everywhere
in the
world

with
infinite
patience

the angels
wait
breathless

beside
their great
invitation.

Will we
open
our hearts.

Will we
give
birth
To love.

Will we
Answer
Yes.

 

CANTICLE

The time
has come

To be only
Light
in the world

to be only
Love
in the world

to be only
Peace
in the world.

It is what
this
sacred season

calls to us.

Light.

Love.

And a deep
abiding
Peace.