In the stillness

of this night-black time,

we have gathered

in this stone-formed place

to celebrate

the touching place

in Bethlehem .

In this moment of quiet

we stand together

at the turning of the year,

witness to the eternal God

in the birth of the Christ Child.

Born into an instant of peace

-a peace enforced by occupation,

He comes again to a divided earth

where tears fall to the ground

and Peace is hung out to dry,

day after day, one more year.

Celebrate this Christmas Feast

with joy recall the Birth

of the Jesus Child with gladness

Share the love of the forgiving Christ

with each other.

And pray for peace.

“It’s time we were moving,

it’s time we were gone”

There is an urgency

in our Christian lives

that allows no pause

for we are a pilgrim people.

We cannot stand still,

we cannot remain the same.

Yet for a brief moment

            we can hesitate

and gaze in speechless wonder

as we know again Christ’s Birth.

Let each give to each

their Christmas Greeting,

remembering

that it’s time we were moving,

it’s time we were gone.

END  

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