What if Nativity

Suppose we peel back all the layers.

Glistening lights

Garlands and gifts

Gingerbread and jolly old men.

*

Imagine all the purchasing and pressure disappear (poof)

And we’re left standing under a black night sky

Vast, velvet, inky darkness above pierced with bright points

And us on the hard earth, fields surrounding, with only the occasional

Bleat.

*

!!!GLORY!!!

Not a silent night but an ear ringing, eye peeling, heart hammering

Beckoning!

*

A newborn cry issues forth

Echoing across the hills

A gusty wail announcing

A Birth

*

Shepherds kneel (and what is kneeling except an expression of great something – worship, wonder, service, amongst other things)

*

What if the plain story pulses with life, still.

Horton like.

“He is here! He is here!”

And when the twinkling, gifting day is over and packed away in boxes,

He is here, still.

And all of the God breathed stars in the expanse above shimmer His-story

Over and over

*

As darkness layers itself, permeates the earth

Across our lands

The announcement still rings.

The invitation echoes on

“…Behold (Look!), I bring you tidings of great joy, which will be to all (yep, that includes you and me) people. For there is born to you today in the city of David (important as prophecy foretold the Messiah would come from the line of David), a Saviour who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger…. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” Luke 2:10-14 NKJV

Join me in listening to this man explain why the Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger was so important, and why the Shepherds would understand what this meant.

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NKJV