Have you ever tried to picture Mary and Joseph in a stable tucked back into a cave? Close your eyes and uses your imagination. Create the sensory reactions of the stable. What does it smell like, How does the straw feel when walked or lain on? What sounds are heard?
Wait! What's that sound? Is it the sound of someone struggling from pain? Infant cries. What is going on in this stable. May I offer a poem of that first night?
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Mom and Joseph labored through the night
Now He is here, pink and perfect.
Joseph speaks and His head turns,
Eyes searching as if to say,
"I know that voice. That's my Joseph".
He easily finds both fists and suckles loudly.
Bright eyes search the face who holds him.
Mom nestles him close to her breast.
His head turns from His fists to her warm food.
She smiles and relaxes as her milk lets down.
He nurses strong, then begins to doze and
Awake to snack and doze and snack
And doze and ...
His chin quivers as her breast slips from His mouth.
Sleep, peaceful, quiet, heavenly sleep.
Swaddled in clean cloths, He is laid in the manger.
Whispers enter the barn door.
Shepherds shuffle in the shadows of lantern light.
Quiet awe at the sight of the angels' message.
"For unto you is born...a Saviour, which is
Christ the Lord."
Father God, help us make the Christmas season real. May we be aware of Mary's struggles in a smelly barn. May we be aware of Joseph's anxious feelings of delivering a baby, Your Son into the world. Help us be aware of Your miracles around us swaddled in the ordinary. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Wait! What's that sound? Is it the sound of someone struggling from pain? Infant cries. What is going on in this stable. May I offer a poem of that first night?
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Mom and Joseph labored through the night
Now He is here, pink and perfect.
Joseph speaks and His head turns,
Eyes searching as if to say,
"I know that voice. That's my Joseph".
He easily finds both fists and suckles loudly.
Bright eyes search the face who holds him.
Mom nestles him close to her breast.
His head turns from His fists to her warm food.
She smiles and relaxes as her milk lets down.
He nurses strong, then begins to doze and
Awake to snack and doze and snack
And doze and ...
His chin quivers as her breast slips from His mouth.
Sleep, peaceful, quiet, heavenly sleep.
Swaddled in clean cloths, He is laid in the manger.
Whispers enter the barn door.
Shepherds shuffle in the shadows of lantern light.
Quiet awe at the sight of the angels' message.
"For unto you is born...a Saviour, which is
Christ the Lord."
Father God, help us make the Christmas season real. May we be aware of Mary's struggles in a smelly barn. May we be aware of Joseph's anxious feelings of delivering a baby, Your Son into the world. Help us be aware of Your miracles around us swaddled in the ordinary. In Jesus' name. Amen.
