Christmas Day, 2016

Sunday, December 25, 2016

The Christ Candle

For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

I looked for Him in a manger

But the straw had turned to tinsel

And the colored lights of men cast a glow

Which seemed to give no light at all – just darkness.

He was not there and my heart cried.

A light came from somewhere

For a shadow was so clear as it fell across the manger

And the plastic figures with their faces set toward nothing.

A cross?

A cross had claimed the fragile one who once was here?

From somewhere down deep inside me came

A thought I did not want.

That cross was mine!

The ground was cold beneath my knees

As my tears poured out guilt and lips confessed,

”Oh, God! The world can’t find Him

For He died upon my cross.”

I heard a whisper – gently – gently in my head.

“No cross could hold me. It is finished.

Now I live!”

I looked up from my weeping

And my eyes did have new sight; The plastic figures smiled,

There was no darkness, only Light!

Jesus! Jesus! Everywhere!

New faith how sweet it be!

I looked – praise God! I found Him!

He had just been born in me!

Author unknown

Father, with the angels I sing, Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Thank you for this Holy Baby and this Holy Day!

And Then It Was Christmas: A Journey Toward Christmas
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, 2006,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator.