morning grace

Read Titus 2:11-14

the angels have folded
their sheet music
and stored it away
for another year,
twittering away
about the ski trip
planned for New Years;

the shepherds are all
snug in their beds,
thoughts of last night
distracting them from
much-needed sleep,
while the kids play
quietly in the next room
(with an occasional, very loud
"SHUSH! You'll wake them!");

Mary turns to Joseph
in the midst of packing
for the trip,
grumbling,
'Wise ones, huh?
not smart enough
to bring something practical
like a crib or diapers?'

Jesus lies quietly
in the manger,
smiling up at the cow
with its great big eyes
watching him carefully,
resting up
for the work of Christmas:

weaning us from sin;
holding our hand as
we take those first
teetering steps in the kingdom;
clapping his hands in delight
when we first whisper
'abba';
helping us to wrap up
grace, peace, and joy,
re-gifting them
for the folks down
at the hopeless shelter.

(c) 2008 Thom M. Shuman