The Christmas Gift

Be ever hearing, but never understanding;
    be ever seeing, but never perceiving.
Make the heart of this people calloused;
    make their ears dull
    and close their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes
    hear with their ears,
    understand with their hearts,
    and turn and be healed.

 
― Isaiah 6:9-10 & referenced in Mark 4:10-22

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Good morning Alex,

For weeks I could not gather a personal word or prayer about Christmas until the digital piano arrived at my porch last Tuesday. I have not played a new song on such black-and-white wonder in over thirty winters. On this strange terrain my fingers fumble to find Christmas as it first found me.

~~~~~~~~~~

Dearest Jesus,

In rolls of snow and cotton throws
in deep-throat wound
in excess that masks the empty,
I curl up in a mess
a child, a Scrooge, alone.

The days bleeding to sunset
are now outnumbered
by gold and wishes I’ve shed.
I’m worn out from enlisting, expanding
in dress and dust. The party expires
along with caviar.

Where you are,
wherever I walk everywhere,
you follow to lead me on
to a cup, tabletop, peak brimming
with Christmas - an oath bundled
in a baby like any other, His name
by none other be slain:

The Way, the Good News, my Miracle-maker.

To every dawn and blizzard
may we rise as you’ve risen,
crowned with expectation.

~~~~~~~~~~

Merry Christmas,
Kate