Poems for Christmas, 2025
Art, a poem, lyrics, and a meditation for Christmas Day
“Best of all, God is with us.” -John Wesley
First Coming by Madeleine L'Engle (1918-2007) He did not wait till the world was ready, till men and nations were at peace. He came when the Heavens were unsteady, and prisoners cried out for release. He did not wait for the perfect time. He came when the need was deep and great. He dined with sinners in all their grime, turned water into wine. He did not wait till hearts were pure. In joy he came to a tarnished world of sin and doubt. To a world like ours, of anguished shame He came, and his Light would not go out. He came to a world which did not mesh, to heal its tangles, shield its scorn. In the mystery of the Word made Flesh the Maker of the stars was born. We cannot wait till the world is sane to raise our songs with joyful voice, for to share our grief, to touch our pain, He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice! --- O Little Town of Bethlehem by Phillips Brooks (1835-1893) O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. For Christ is born of Mary; and, gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond'ring love. O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth, and praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth. How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is giv'n! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heav'n. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in. O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
“The mood of Christmas, what is it?
It is the brooding presence of the eternal spirit making crooked paths straight, rough places smooth, tired hearts refreshed. Dead hopes stir with newness of life. It is the promise of tomorrow at the close of every day, the movement of life in defiance of death, and the assurance that love is steadier than hate, that right is more confident than wrong, that good is more permanent than evil.”
-Howard Thurman, Christmas Meditation1
1
https://thurman.pitts.emory.edu/items/show/1266
 | A guest post by
|