He is Come

He is come. and so quickly I forget.

How does life ever get mundane, how do the  fears, doubt and strife intrude ugly again after that night? The eve of lights and magic so thick you can embrace it, holding us all around in wonder. But they do, they come a torrent with the days marching on in the new year hoping for more.

Again I forget – He came in ugliness and squalor, soon to be running, evil hot on their heels. He came to live IN THIS world. He came to die. I snatch up my life, my comforts, like brightly colored packages. A child crying after too much sugar and too good of a time.

But that one night we slip into mystery and time stands still and we Remember.   He comes.   He comes into our mess unafraid.   He dawns new every morning.   He sweeps away the dirt and breaks through the rock and stretches out his hand with a whisper and . . .

waits.   always waits.   for us.   He beckons, we must come – lay aside the mess and come.   Light the candles, bow our hearts, reach out our hands, and Come to His grace. Every moment a new choice to draw near or pull away.   and yet He holds us close, strong weathered hand of a grandfather on his child’s shoulder, every star in the universe encircling our waist.

We lay it all down and welcome Him. Oh God let me live in light of this night.

Remind me the truth that it’s never too late for Christmas Eve.

and amidst the sacred Christmas story read, there’s Jello, Jimmy Stewart, stockings filled and cookies left  . . .

and it was to all a VERY good night!

12-24-11 . 85mm