The Prophet of Advent - Christmas Day

Read Isaiah 61

when the broken toys
are set out
by the curb,
maybe then
we can find the time
to mend the broken-hearted:

when the Christmas charges
are all paid off:
maybe then
we can fund health care
for the poorest
of God's children;

when we are finally free
of all the parties,
the gatherings, the obligations:
maybe then
we can notice
the prisoners;

when the tree comes down,
when the lights are put away,
when the ornaments are packed up:
maybe then
we can wipe away
the tears
of the mourners.

when God's Spirit
comes upon us
(and it did during the night
whether we noticed
or not)
maybe then
we will know
(and live)
the real meaning
of Christmas.

Prayer

Maybe when the new year begins,
God of Bethlehem, we will know
that we are called to be children of
the Spirit, those who can repair our
ruined cities, who can welcome strangers,
who can be sown as the seeds of your
rightousness. Maybe, just maybe. Amen.

(c) 2005 Thom M. Shuman