Come IV ~

 "Joseph, son of David,

 do not be afraid to take

 Mary as your wife,

 for the child conceived in her

 is from the Holy Spirit."

Matthew 1:20b

"Look, the young woman is with child

 and shall bear a son,

 and shall name him Immanuel."

Isaiah 7:14

*  *  *

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Prettying Up Jesus ~

I added no

essence of stable

no fetid straw

no birthing cloths

or soiled infant linens

piled in a corner

no travel-weary

or labor pain lines to

mar her sweet face

no hair damp

from the the rigor of birthing

to mat at the nape

only cleanliness and beauty

arranged just so

 : : :

somehow

it seems important

to remember

that He was birthed

in the midst

of life's

messiness

and meets us

in the midst of ours
even though our creches
might say otherwise