Bethlehem Before Dawn

A Christmas Meditation

Perhaps it was a dream.  I was walking, it was night,
The dark sky stitched with silver threads.  Orion riding
High, the Pleiades, insouciant, drifting westward, a
Glow in the east. I was on the edge of a town and as I
Entered I sensed light leaking from the edges of
Windows, but the doors have already decided.

The air smelled of olives recently milled.
Ahead I spied a fire outside the open doors
Of what appeared to be a small stable.
As I neared, I could see light pouring from
The inside of the stable; a donkey stood next
To the fire undisturbed at my approach, his breath
Visible in the late night cold.

I moved closer to the stable doors and saw
A young couple kneeling over a straw laden
Wooden trough, adoration in their eyes
At a newborn child, swaddled and resting in
The straw, radiant but vulnerable, the fulfillment
Of a promise made centuries ago.

I knelt next to the man across from the woman,
Barely more than a girl, but radiant as the child
Before me. “Emmanuel,” she whispered. 
Somehow, I knew I was on the edge of a new
Beginning, trying to grasp that this was how
Salvation would arrive: not in conquest or
Sword’s blow, but in holy closeness to
God so humble and small.

I touched the edge of the trough, felt the wood’s
Rough edge and shuddered at the thought
That this precious life would lie on wood for us
Again, down the long road of life, finally
Going home.

A very Merry Christmas to all my readers. I hope your travels are safe and that you are with the ones you love. I am grateful for your readership and comments, I have a couple of new projects that will be launching in the new year, so stay tuned!

I’ve been practicing meditative prayer where you envision yourself in a scene or passage from Scripture. This one came to me this morning, I hope you enjoy.