CHRISTMAS 2023

 

  Christmas 2023

This is the day a Savior was born.

This is the day God came to earth.

This is the day that the churches in Bethlehem

Silenced the bells that ring out Jesus' birth.

For darkness covers Jerusalem,

The memory of horror as fresh as the blood

That seeps from the rubble in Gaza.

"Where is the justice when vengeance is all?"

Says the newborn awake in the hay.

"Did my Father not say that vengeance is His?"

Says the newborn awake in the hay. 

"Who will help me bring peace to this earth?  

If I will sacrifice all, will that be enough?" 

Says the newborn awake in the hay. 

Today the angels are raising their voices as they try to be heard on high.

Try to be heard above wailing and bombing and the noisy demise of hunter and prey. 

Eyes open, breath still as souls leave the bodies not ready to die.

This is not new we are sorry to say--

Lives lost on the battlefield, refugees pawns 

In a game of hunger and thirst that they didn't start, 

Well, I believe in original sin, don't you? 

The sin that the baby awake in the hay,

On a Friday that isn't that far away

Gives His life to atone for, rampant today. 

Today is the day that we say Merry Christmas and hold onto the ones that we love.

We say, "I forgive you.  Do you forgive me?"

We say, "Let's start over.  Let's work harder.  

Let's do more, be more, give more. 

Let's pray without ceasing for peace on this earth, in my heart and yours. 

Everywhere we go let us listen for the angels no matter how tired their voices, how tired our own.

Maybe not Merry, maybe not Bright, but Christmas is here.

Let us Rejoice.

Nina Naomi, Christmas Day 2023