Читать книгу Destination Bethlehem - J. Barrie Shepherd - Страница 18

For a gray November sky

with a filigree of bare branches

outlined against one patch of blue,

for random swatches of bright gold and scarlet

fallen around the bases of tall trees,

for the calling of the geese on the move overhead,

their trailing, V-shaped skeins lifting eyes and hearts

to the heavens and beyond,

for a touch of frost on the lawn,

and that feathery first flake of falling snow,

for family tables circled with fond laughter, honest prayer,

bright candles, good food, rich stories, new and old,

the young ones, the not-so-young,

the cheery, noisy moments, the quiet, thoughtful ones,

for long and easy walks with dogs,

crackling log fires, bright colored cards in the mail,

remembrances of folk and moments almost now forgot,

yet still bearing a light and lingering joy,

so many gifts, so many blessings

to thank you for, our God,

in this past week of high Thanksgiving.

And now we turn again toward the manger.

We begin to trace once more those familiar,

age-old hopes and dreams, prophecies in song and story,

well-worn traditions of both church and fireside.

We make plans for moments of rejoicing

to be experienced and enjoyed just up ahead.

And as we think of all such blessed sharing,

as we take up our daily walk to Bethlehem

where God shared himself with us,

we take time to think of others, those in danger

and distress, all those in desperate need,

those who face terrible decisions,

those with no possible decisions left to be made,

all those in whom the face of Christ

lies waiting to be recognized and welcomed.

Slow us down, O God, this Advent season.

Let us savor every sparkling winter sunrise,

every golden sunset. Let us claim again the grace

that shapes each moment of our days,

and let us live that love that leads us toward life,

that simplest, deepest, truest love of all,

the love we will discover in the stable among the straw.

All this we ask in the tender, gracious,

world-embracing name of the Bethlehem babe,

our Savior, Jesus. Amen.