once upon a time
a young girl
gave herself
to a labour of love,
a labour
characterised by struggle,
the eternal struggle
between darkness
and light,
the struggle that light
and truth
wholeness
and beauty
were destined
eventually
to win
the battle
between exquisite peace
and sword piercing pain
that began to reveal its destiny
through the young girl’s
labour
quietly
secretly
imperceptibly
Light
was coming,
on its way
across time and space,
to make itself known
and it made its first appearance
with a sign
the shimmering ethereal
radiance
of an angel
bright
clear
unmistakable
softly entering
into an ordinary day
an angel who said
will you lend
your love
that God might birth
a greater Love
through you
and Mary said
yes
tell God
I say yes
Poetry from the pen of Pat Marsh
Wednesday, 16 December 2009
Engagement
I want to meet
with Him,
this Christmas.
I want to engage
with that baby who was God,
connect
with the God
who came as child.
I want to experience him,
be loved by him,
and welcome him this Christmas.
I want to encounter
the new-born Christ
with every ounce of my emotions
every portion of my soul.
I want to anticipate nothing
and expect
more than I can possibly
imagine.
I really
want to meet with that baby
in a radically new way
this Christmas.
I’ll start
by kneeling …
with Him,
this Christmas.
I want to engage
with that baby who was God,
connect
with the God
who came as child.
I want to experience him,
be loved by him,
and welcome him this Christmas.
I want to encounter
the new-born Christ
with every ounce of my emotions
every portion of my soul.
I want to anticipate nothing
and expect
more than I can possibly
imagine.
I really
want to meet with that baby
in a radically new way
this Christmas.
I’ll start
by kneeling …
Risk-Taking Saviour
risking it all
on the ‘yes’
of a Jewish teenager,
staking his plans
on the equally difficult ‘yes’
of a carpenter
disgraced,
breaking
social conventions
he came
with forgiving love
choosing to enter history
in the midst of political turmoil,
risking the dangerous anger
of a king
crazy for power
he came
as a helpless baby
conceiving himself
in the womb of a girl,
risking a difficult birth
in the dirt
of an animal stall
he came
with complete humility
seeking the costliest gift
he could bring
he offered us
simply
himself
entering human life
in all of its raw
and complex messiness
he came
because he cared
on the ‘yes’
of a Jewish teenager,
staking his plans
on the equally difficult ‘yes’
of a carpenter
disgraced,
breaking
social conventions
he came
with forgiving love
choosing to enter history
in the midst of political turmoil,
risking the dangerous anger
of a king
crazy for power
he came
as a helpless baby
conceiving himself
in the womb of a girl,
risking a difficult birth
in the dirt
of an animal stall
he came
with complete humility
seeking the costliest gift
he could bring
he offered us
simply
himself
entering human life
in all of its raw
and complex messiness
he came
because he cared
The Mystery
unlike any other
and yet
so much
like every other
newborn babe
the visible image
of the invisible God
suckled at the breast
drew his nourishment
from the one
whom he’d chosen
to mother him
utterly transcendent
wholly dependent
thoroughly human
completely divine
God
suckled at the breast
and Mary
once more
gave her body in love
and pondered
the mystery
and yet
so much
like every other
newborn babe
the visible image
of the invisible God
suckled at the breast
drew his nourishment
from the one
whom he’d chosen
to mother him
utterly transcendent
wholly dependent
thoroughly human
completely divine
God
suckled at the breast
and Mary
once more
gave her body in love
and pondered
the mystery
This Baby
He challenges me
this baby:
I cannot kneel by his manger
and not
be changed,
I cannot gaze into those beautiful eyes
and stay the same,
I cannot hold him close
and fail to be aware
that his purpose in coming
is for him
to hold me,
I cannot welcome this new life
without acknowledging
that this baby
invites me
to radically new ways of being;
I simply cannot find the words
to express
how the coming of this child
challenges me
to change.
A Saviour is born
and life
will never be the same again.
He challenges me
this baby.
this baby:
I cannot kneel by his manger
and not
be changed,
I cannot gaze into those beautiful eyes
and stay the same,
I cannot hold him close
and fail to be aware
that his purpose in coming
is for him
to hold me,
I cannot welcome this new life
without acknowledging
that this baby
invites me
to radically new ways of being;
I simply cannot find the words
to express
how the coming of this child
challenges me
to change.
A Saviour is born
and life
will never be the same again.
He challenges me
this baby.
Monday, 13 July 2009
Safe
held in the Father’s arms
I am safe
soaked in the Father’s love
peace
permeates my tiredness
he knows
he knows everything about me
within
and without
he will restore me
all will be well
I am safe
soaked in the Father’s love
peace
permeates my tiredness
he knows
he knows everything about me
within
and without
he will restore me
all will be well
Deeper
deeper
deeper into my love
that’s where I want to take you
closer
closer to my heart
that’s where I long
to draw you
washed
washed in my blood
that’s how much I forgive you
healed
fully healed
that’s how I want to bless you
filled
filled with my Spirit
that’s how I
want to see you
the question is
will you let me do this
for you
deeper into my love
that’s where I want to take you
closer
closer to my heart
that’s where I long
to draw you
washed
washed in my blood
that’s how much I forgive you
healed
fully healed
that’s how I want to bless you
filled
filled with my Spirit
that’s how I
want to see you
the question is
will you let me do this
for you
The Yes of God
I stand in awe
of answered prayer
stand in complete humility
before God’s Yes
the definitive Yes
the radical Yes
the active, dynamic, creative Yes
the Yes that brings miracles
into being
before my very eyes
the Yes of God
that gives new strength
to crippled bones
restores sight to the sightless
shrinks tumours amazingly
into oblivion
regenerates organs lost to disease
reverses the death march of AIDS
and heals, and heals
and heals
today
miracle maker
creative healer
abundantly, wonderfully
gracious God
I stand in awe
of your Yes
of answered prayer
stand in complete humility
before God’s Yes
the definitive Yes
the radical Yes
the active, dynamic, creative Yes
the Yes that brings miracles
into being
before my very eyes
the Yes of God
that gives new strength
to crippled bones
restores sight to the sightless
shrinks tumours amazingly
into oblivion
regenerates organs lost to disease
reverses the death march of AIDS
and heals, and heals
and heals
today
miracle maker
creative healer
abundantly, wonderfully
gracious God
I stand in awe
of your Yes
Whispers From Within
whispers from within
prompt me
to stop
take space
to pause
give myself permission
to grow still
breathe in
his presence
drink in
his peace
centre myself
once more
in him
prompt me
to stop
take space
to pause
give myself permission
to grow still
breathe in
his presence
drink in
his peace
centre myself
once more
in him
The Slate
Psalm 32
God
holds nothing
absolutely nothing
against you
the slate’s
wiped perfectly clean
from the moment
the confession
begins to pour from your lips
you are free
it is forgiven
total
complete
instantaneous
let it go
make a new start
the slate
is clean
God
holds nothing
absolutely nothing
against you
the slate’s
wiped perfectly clean
from the moment
the confession
begins to pour from your lips
you are free
it is forgiven
total
complete
instantaneous
let it go
make a new start
the slate
is clean
Come Spirit, Come
Spirit of God
come
come
as the gentle whisper
come as the raging torrent
come as the roaring storm
come
in the quiet moment
come
in whatever way
will catch my attention today
but come, Spirit
come
come
come
as the gentle whisper
come as the raging torrent
come as the roaring storm
come
in the quiet moment
come
in whatever way
will catch my attention today
but come, Spirit
come
Abide
John 15.4
abide in me
remain
in my love
let me hold you
enfold you
comfort you
nurture you
create in you
all that you might be
dwell
in my presence
rest there
remain there
abide
let me shower you with
blessing upon blessings
let me circle you
wash over you
cascade my love upon you
remain
in my love
abide
abide in me
remain
in my love
let me hold you
enfold you
comfort you
nurture you
create in you
all that you might be
dwell
in my presence
rest there
remain there
abide
let me shower you with
blessing upon blessings
let me circle you
wash over you
cascade my love upon you
remain
in my love
abide
It's All For You
1 John 4.13-16
I am the complete expression
of love
greater by far
more consistent
than any other love
you’ll ever know
than any other love
that’s ever warmed
and touched your heart
imagine that
I am the complete expression of love
in all its fullness
love
as it was designed to be
wonderful
sustaining
forgiving
serving
perfect, perfect love
and I long to overwhelm you
with that love
to lavish it upon you
to swamp you with it
hold you in it
never
let you go
open your heart
to receive
there are no conditions
it’s all
for you
whatever you’ve done
whatever others
have done to you
however you’re feeling
right now
it’s all for you
open your heart
to receive
I am the complete expression
of love
greater by far
more consistent
than any other love
you’ll ever know
than any other love
that’s ever warmed
and touched your heart
imagine that
I am the complete expression of love
in all its fullness
love
as it was designed to be
wonderful
sustaining
forgiving
serving
perfect, perfect love
and I long to overwhelm you
with that love
to lavish it upon you
to swamp you with it
hold you in it
never
let you go
open your heart
to receive
there are no conditions
it’s all
for you
whatever you’ve done
whatever others
have done to you
however you’re feeling
right now
it’s all for you
open your heart
to receive
Eleventh Hour God
when the chips
are really down
and there’s
not much to believe in
and nowhere else to run
strengthen my belief, Lord
when the rubber hits the road
and puts me
to the biggest ever test
deepen my trust
trust in you
trust in self
when it all seems impossible
in simple human terms
remind me
nothing
is beyond your help
and when I’m asking
again and again
how long
whisper to me
tenderly
that you’re a
not in advance
just in time
precisely the best moment
eleventh hour
God
and miracles
happen
and you
will
hold me through
are really down
and there’s
not much to believe in
and nowhere else to run
strengthen my belief, Lord
when the rubber hits the road
and puts me
to the biggest ever test
deepen my trust
trust in you
trust in self
when it all seems impossible
in simple human terms
remind me
nothing
is beyond your help
and when I’m asking
again and again
how long
whisper to me
tenderly
that you’re a
not in advance
just in time
precisely the best moment
eleventh hour
God
and miracles
happen
and you
will
hold me through
Yeshua Love
Ephesians 3.14-21
beyond my deepest need
or highest hope
able to encompass
and restore
all humankind
endless
stupendous
enfolding
upholding
astounding reach of love
at one with me
surrounding
indwelling
healing
empowering
the source of all that is
and all I am
forgiving
renewing
nurturing
enabling
drawing out potential
for the call
beyond me
within me
limitless
yet personal
seeing
all that’s needed for my life
loving
always loving
infinitely loving
loving
with a love that says
let’s dance
beyond my deepest need
or highest hope
able to encompass
and restore
all humankind
endless
stupendous
enfolding
upholding
astounding reach of love
at one with me
surrounding
indwelling
healing
empowering
the source of all that is
and all I am
forgiving
renewing
nurturing
enabling
drawing out potential
for the call
beyond me
within me
limitless
yet personal
seeing
all that’s needed for my life
loving
always loving
infinitely loving
loving
with a love that says
let’s dance
Silent Wisdom
in the silence
there is wisdom
in the silence
there is love
in the silence
is my healing
and in the silence
I dare to meet my deepest self
at one
with the Creator
there is wisdom
in the silence
there is love
in the silence
is my healing
and in the silence
I dare to meet my deepest self
at one
with the Creator
Job Description
Jewish carpenter
seeks committed, enthusiastic amateur
for communications exercise.
No knowledge of working with wood needed.
No references required.
Previous history and experience
completely irrelevant.
Past integrity and moral values
also unimportant.
Full job description currently unavailable
but likely to unfold as the work progresses.
Applicant will almost certainly be
required to travel;
may have to leave behind the known, familiar
and must be prepared to take risks.
Helpful if able to leave at short notice.
The job will almost certainly require skills
that are outside the candidate’s current experience,
but everything that is required
will be provided.
Salary cannot be guaranteed
and on occasions may be below the statutory minimum
but applicants are assured
that any reimbursement
will be sufficient to meet their basic needs.
Discernment and listening skills are desirable for this post
but on the job training will be available.
The job is likely to be unpredictable and challenging
and to take the successful applicant in new directions.
This is a highly rewarding position
for which the only essential attribute required
is an ability to
believe wholeheartedly in the project.
All applicants welcomed
with open arms.
seeks committed, enthusiastic amateur
for communications exercise.
No knowledge of working with wood needed.
No references required.
Previous history and experience
completely irrelevant.
Past integrity and moral values
also unimportant.
Full job description currently unavailable
but likely to unfold as the work progresses.
Applicant will almost certainly be
required to travel;
may have to leave behind the known, familiar
and must be prepared to take risks.
Helpful if able to leave at short notice.
The job will almost certainly require skills
that are outside the candidate’s current experience,
but everything that is required
will be provided.
Salary cannot be guaranteed
and on occasions may be below the statutory minimum
but applicants are assured
that any reimbursement
will be sufficient to meet their basic needs.
Discernment and listening skills are desirable for this post
but on the job training will be available.
The job is likely to be unpredictable and challenging
and to take the successful applicant in new directions.
This is a highly rewarding position
for which the only essential attribute required
is an ability to
believe wholeheartedly in the project.
All applicants welcomed
with open arms.
Infusion
rhythm
of the eternal
infuse me
transfuse me
cradle me here
rise up
from deep within
steep me
in yourself
of the eternal
infuse me
transfuse me
cradle me here
rise up
from deep within
steep me
in yourself
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Who Is He
who
is this man?
miracle maker
healer
shaker of the status quo
carpenter from Nazareth
or more than that?
who is this ordinary
extraordinary man?
freedom fighter
truth teller
charismatic Saviour
or simply
son of Mary?
who is
this enigmatic man?
challenger
disturber
compassionate one
confronter
forgiver
befriender of thieves
soul shaper
peacemaker
peace breaker?
unlike any other
and yet so much
like everyman
who
can he be?
rule breaker
covenant maker
lover
teacher
friend
divinity
embodied through humanity?
who exactly is
this special man?
and who is he
for me?
is this man?
miracle maker
healer
shaker of the status quo
carpenter from Nazareth
or more than that?
who is this ordinary
extraordinary man?
freedom fighter
truth teller
charismatic Saviour
or simply
son of Mary?
who is
this enigmatic man?
challenger
disturber
compassionate one
confronter
forgiver
befriender of thieves
soul shaper
peacemaker
peace breaker?
unlike any other
and yet so much
like everyman
who
can he be?
rule breaker
covenant maker
lover
teacher
friend
divinity
embodied through humanity?
who exactly is
this special man?
and who is he
for me?
Kingdom Scars
streaked with the blood
of the Christ,
the hideous wood
is beautified,
timber
now bearing scars
of the pivotal Kingdom event,
the carpenter’s imprint
on the cross,
the patterning
of the one who hung there
cardinal red
on the grain,
the Master craftsman
fashioning
his final piece
in wood,
a beautiful work
of eternal
significance.
of the Christ,
the hideous wood
is beautified,
timber
now bearing scars
of the pivotal Kingdom event,
the carpenter’s imprint
on the cross,
the patterning
of the one who hung there
cardinal red
on the grain,
the Master craftsman
fashioning
his final piece
in wood,
a beautiful work
of eternal
significance.
The Crushing
crushed
he said
this
from one
so ultra calm
so quietly unflappable
my soul
is crushed with grief
crushed to the point of death
not that he needed
to voice it
his whole body language
betrayed the truth of it
suddenly
everything had changed
our Passover celebration
become
a veritable nightmare
the flight to freedom
revisited
as headlong plunge
into deep despair
what kind of God was this
this Abba
whom he cried to?
what kind of God
would choose to crush
salvation
into being?
what kind of God
was this?
he said
this
from one
so ultra calm
so quietly unflappable
my soul
is crushed with grief
crushed to the point of death
not that he needed
to voice it
his whole body language
betrayed the truth of it
suddenly
everything had changed
our Passover celebration
become
a veritable nightmare
the flight to freedom
revisited
as headlong plunge
into deep despair
what kind of God was this
this Abba
whom he cried to?
what kind of God
would choose to crush
salvation
into being?
what kind of God
was this?
Bittersweet Gethsemane
olives
rained down like bullets
on the ground,
branches
violently shook
his face
contorted in pain,
his clenched fists
roared against the tree
as if flailing in anguish ‘
against the totality
of his creation,
the whole
sorry mess of it
and this moment
it had led him to
his was a tough love,
love of the toughest
most bittersweet kind
and now,
his whole life
hurtling towards its climax,
his divinity
fought the intensity
of mortal weakness
and his human face
revealed itself
Abba
take this cup away
anger
grief
vulnerability
wrestled with the calling
tensions
exploded from within him
as the inner battle
raged
until finally
it was over
he was spent
his whole body
slumped,
relaxed exhaustion
overcame him
and the greater calling
restored itself
to its rightful place
within his mind
in a whisper
the words came
yet not my will
but yours
be done
peace
strengthened him
the hour
had come
rained down like bullets
on the ground,
branches
violently shook
his face
contorted in pain,
his clenched fists
roared against the tree
as if flailing in anguish ‘
against the totality
of his creation,
the whole
sorry mess of it
and this moment
it had led him to
his was a tough love,
love of the toughest
most bittersweet kind
and now,
his whole life
hurtling towards its climax,
his divinity
fought the intensity
of mortal weakness
and his human face
revealed itself
Abba
take this cup away
anger
grief
vulnerability
wrestled with the calling
tensions
exploded from within him
as the inner battle
raged
until finally
it was over
he was spent
his whole body
slumped,
relaxed exhaustion
overcame him
and the greater calling
restored itself
to its rightful place
within his mind
in a whisper
the words came
yet not my will
but yours
be done
peace
strengthened him
the hour
had come
Private Moment
. Mark 11.11
silently
reflectively,
adulation of the crowd
still ringing in his ears,
he climbed
the temple steps
entered once more
the place
that had drawn him back,
the holy space
that had been ever drawing him
over thirty three years of life
and long generations of history
destiny
held him
in a private moment
inside the great
echoing silence
of the sacred space
it was late
it was lonely
the end was near
the crowds didn’t understand
silently,
before the
place of sacrifice,
his hands
caressing the altar
as one would a woman,
he remembered Isaac’s son
and the sparing
and knew
that this time
it had to be different
and the coldness
of the polished stone
shivered through him
it was cold
it was late
it was lonely
the end
was near
silently
reflectively,
adulation of the crowd
still ringing in his ears,
he climbed
the temple steps
entered once more
the place
that had drawn him back,
the holy space
that had been ever drawing him
over thirty three years of life
and long generations of history
destiny
held him
in a private moment
inside the great
echoing silence
of the sacred space
it was late
it was lonely
the end was near
the crowds didn’t understand
silently,
before the
place of sacrifice,
his hands
caressing the altar
as one would a woman,
he remembered Isaac’s son
and the sparing
and knew
that this time
it had to be different
and the coldness
of the polished stone
shivered through him
it was cold
it was late
it was lonely
the end
was near
Saturday, 28 March 2009
Salvation Symphony
resonant
ringing sound
of hammer head on nail
echoes
across Calvary
reverberates
vibrant
victorious
cymbal-like
first clashing note
of the final
carefully orchestrated movement
of God’s symphony
of Salvation
metal
drives through flesh
and crimson life-blood
of the Christ
spills out
upon the timber altar
of the cross
the finale
has begun
and the unflinching Saviour
turns his head
to watch the lead percussionist
steady the nail
and He sees
that it is good
ringing sound
of hammer head on nail
echoes
across Calvary
reverberates
vibrant
victorious
cymbal-like
first clashing note
of the final
carefully orchestrated movement
of God’s symphony
of Salvation
metal
drives through flesh
and crimson life-blood
of the Christ
spills out
upon the timber altar
of the cross
the finale
has begun
and the unflinching Saviour
turns his head
to watch the lead percussionist
steady the nail
and He sees
that it is good
Blood on the Ground
when her eyes
could bear
to look at him no more
her head
dropped
and finally
her brave composure shattered
a great releasing
flow of grief
consumed her shaking body
and John’s
strong arms
wrapped themselves tightly round her
sharing the pain
holding her together
in her brokenness
and when the tears
had run their painful course
her vacant eyes
stared blindly
through the watery veil
at the bloodstains
by her feet
the blood of her son
colouring the Golgotha dust
and her mind went back
to another time
another lonely place
when it was her blood
staining a dusty stable floor
blood of her womb
outpoured
in his birthing
to a time
when she had made
her sacrifice
given her virginal womb
to the purposes of God
and as another
deep
red
globule
fell to the ground
she knew
that this was her blood too
another sacrifice by her
and part of her
was dying with him
and another tear
broke loose
could bear
to look at him no more
her head
dropped
and finally
her brave composure shattered
a great releasing
flow of grief
consumed her shaking body
and John’s
strong arms
wrapped themselves tightly round her
sharing the pain
holding her together
in her brokenness
and when the tears
had run their painful course
her vacant eyes
stared blindly
through the watery veil
at the bloodstains
by her feet
the blood of her son
colouring the Golgotha dust
and her mind went back
to another time
another lonely place
when it was her blood
staining a dusty stable floor
blood of her womb
outpoured
in his birthing
to a time
when she had made
her sacrifice
given her virginal womb
to the purposes of God
and as another
deep
red
globule
fell to the ground
she knew
that this was her blood too
another sacrifice by her
and part of her
was dying with him
and another tear
broke loose
Red
poem inspired by this image:
by Joerg Lehmann
(c) Pinotage wines
the true vine
weeps
deep
red
juice
down the timbers
of the cross
blood of the new covenant
pouring itself
from his wounds
the fruit of his life
crushed
into rich
red
eucharistic wine
sacrificing
the one
true life
to give life
the vine
weeps
deep
celebratory
red
The Timber
with the poignant love
of one who knows
the pain that is to come
he fingered
the grain of the wood
touched it
reverently
felt every nuance of its texture
ran his hand
along its roughness
gazed
at its patterning
saw deep below
its splintered outer surface
to the beauty
at its heart
pressed his face
against the timber
felt the strength of it
breathed in the smell of it
buried his mind
in its touch and its scent
a soft
woody fragrance
stirring echoes
of childhood
memories of
the toddler in the sawdust
at his father’s feet
images of youth
the young man
learning the carpenter’s trade
but knowing
always knowing
there was other work
for him to do
and his mother
speaking softly
telling
and re-telling
again and again
always with affection
the story
of the manger
a crib at his birth
a cross at his death
timber
framing his life
his whole history
flashed across his mind
as he fingered
held
breathed in the scent of
the wood
memories
mingling with the pain
there was something
completely right
about this death which was his destiny
he was ready
now was the hour
he stooped
to shoulder a piece of wood
for one last time
of one who knows
the pain that is to come
he fingered
the grain of the wood
touched it
reverently
felt every nuance of its texture
ran his hand
along its roughness
gazed
at its patterning
saw deep below
its splintered outer surface
to the beauty
at its heart
pressed his face
against the timber
felt the strength of it
breathed in the smell of it
buried his mind
in its touch and its scent
a soft
woody fragrance
stirring echoes
of childhood
memories of
the toddler in the sawdust
at his father’s feet
images of youth
the young man
learning the carpenter’s trade
but knowing
always knowing
there was other work
for him to do
and his mother
speaking softly
telling
and re-telling
again and again
always with affection
the story
of the manger
a crib at his birth
a cross at his death
timber
framing his life
his whole history
flashed across his mind
as he fingered
held
breathed in the scent of
the wood
memories
mingling with the pain
there was something
completely right
about this death which was his destiny
he was ready
now was the hour
he stooped
to shoulder a piece of wood
for one last time
The Cup
a rule breaker
to the end
inviting us to drink blood
it was only wine of course
but he was saying
it was his blood
somehow
that was significant
yet it went against the grain
of all our Jewish sensitivities
to drink
blood
it was another mystery
another conundrum
we couldn’t begin to get our thoughts
around the questions
racing through our heads
that night
only later
a very long time later
did the faintest
chink of understanding
start to filter through
a sacrificial lamb
the ultimate
never needed again
sacrificial lamb
that’s what he was
pouring his blood out
for us
to the end
inviting us to drink blood
it was only wine of course
but he was saying
it was his blood
somehow
that was significant
yet it went against the grain
of all our Jewish sensitivities
to drink
blood
it was another mystery
another conundrum
we couldn’t begin to get our thoughts
around the questions
racing through our heads
that night
only later
a very long time later
did the faintest
chink of understanding
start to filter through
a sacrificial lamb
the ultimate
never needed again
sacrificial lamb
that’s what he was
pouring his blood out
for us
Thursday, 22 January 2009
In The Straw
from my new Christmas manuscript:
and the Saviour
lay
in the straw
devoid of comfort
but for the warm, soft breast
of she who birthed him
without material wealth,
his earthly parents
homeless
poor
and soon
to be on the run
because of him
a penniless King
the Saviour
lay
in the straw
child of the girl
who risked the scandal
of unmarried pregnancy
for him
son of the God
who turned the world’s values
upside down
who loved us far too much
to leave us
as we were
son
of Love
who created us
to love like him
and came as the Saviour
who lay in the straw
and the Saviour
lay
in the straw
devoid of comfort
but for the warm, soft breast
of she who birthed him
without material wealth,
his earthly parents
homeless
poor
and soon
to be on the run
because of him
a penniless King
the Saviour
lay
in the straw
child of the girl
who risked the scandal
of unmarried pregnancy
for him
son of the God
who turned the world’s values
upside down
who loved us far too much
to leave us
as we were
son
of Love
who created us
to love like him
and came as the Saviour
who lay in the straw
Deep
simple words to lead into stillness
deep
journey deep
to the place beyond words
sink
slowly sink
to the silence within
let the Christ
who is in you
rise up to meet you
deep
journey deep
into him
deep
journey deep
to the place beyond words
sink
slowly sink
to the silence within
let the Christ
who is in you
rise up to meet you
deep
journey deep
into him
Heaven Comes Home
a poem birthed during my time of reflective writing this Christmas:
the tiny miracle
of God-made-small
drinks at the warm
soft breast
of the girl
whose womb
has nurtured him
to life
taking the risk
of placing himself
in the care of his own
creation
God births himself
through a wonderful act
of love
divinity
kisses
humanity
staking the future
on Mary’s
yes
heaven
comes home
to earth
the tiny miracle
of God-made-small
drinks at the warm
soft breast
of the girl
whose womb
has nurtured him
to life
taking the risk
of placing himself
in the care of his own
creation
God births himself
through a wonderful act
of love
divinity
kisses
humanity
staking the future
on Mary’s
yes
heaven
comes home
to earth
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