Sharon’s Christmas Prayer
She was five,
sure of the facts,
and recited them
with slow solemnity
convinced every word
was revelation.
She said
they were so poor
they had only peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
to eat
and they went a long way from home
without getting lost. The lady rode
a donkey, the man walked, and the baby
was inside the lady.
They had to stay in a stable
with an ox and an ass (hee-hee)
but the Three Rich Men found them
because a star lited the roof
Shepherds came and you could
pet the sheep but not feed them.
Then the baby was borned.
And do you know who he was?
Her quarter eyes inflated
to silver dollars.
The baby was God.
And she jumped in the air
whirled round, dove into the sofa
and buried her head under the cushion
which is the only proper response
to the Good News of the Incarnation.
John Shea
A blessed Christmas to all.
Nancy Rappaport
December 23, 2017at9:58 amAnd the baby was inside the lady . The most powerful demonstration of this devotion is Black nativity in Boston with African drumming with the birth and Langston Hughes poem put to amazing music . Go see if you can .
kathleen.hirsch
December 23, 2017at10:04 amI’ve seen it and it IS amazing! Thanks so much, Nancy! Enjoy your snowscapes in CO!
Sue O'Reilly
December 23, 2017at7:46 amI love John Shea! Once I took a class with him at Maryknoll. He was brilliant.
My final thoughts on Advent:
The first purple candle was for settling into Advent with a commitment to silence and quieting. The second purple candle was for participating in an 8 day silent Advent retreat steeped in ritual, reflection and stillness. The pink candle was for the final weekend of Advent retreat where a team of three gift musicians and spiritualists led us through a rich tapestry of liturgical prayer with exquisite song and Taize chant which left our hearts singing and hopeful. The last purple candle was for returning home to the world and trying to hold the stillness and joy. Incarnation!
Thank you, Kathleen, for gently and beautifully leading us through this year’s Advent journey. And I enjoyed all the art work which you paired with your reflections.
Blessings!
kathleen.hirsch
December 23, 2017at10:03 amDear Sue, It sounds as if you have traveled through Advent in a most blessed and intentional way. I salute you and am so grateful for the wisdom you have shared from your journey with us this season. May you Christmas be filled with light!