Every year when I was growing up, there was a nativity set under our Christmas tree. One of my favorite things to do each Christmas season was to lie down on the floor and get eye level with the nativity figures. Doing so made it easy to imagine being there when the events of the first Christmas unfolded.
Sometime during my late teens, my mom got a cassette tape of Evie Karlsson singing Christmas songs. We had one of her earlier Christmas records, and many of you may be familiar with her music. This tape had a song that both my mom and I really liked: "Move Me Closer" (listen to it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nLwhsaApIk ). The words capture the Spirit's pull on our hearts to stay near the manger and its Child.
I wanted to mention those two Christmas memories, because they are connected to the reason I wrote a new Christmas poem a few weeks ago. I still listen to "Move Me Closer" every December, and try to make time to get eye level with the nativity scene (though I'll admit that I don't pop up from the floor quite as fast as I did when I was an elementary student). It is ever a wonder that the Christ child came...for you, for me, for the world. May none of us ever get too busy to adore Him.
-MaryBeth Hall
Can You See Yourself?
Luke 2:15 "...Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,
and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."
Can you see yourself at eventide
In the stable long ago?
The hay-filled manger stand beside,
As all your soul gazes to know
More of the tiny One who sleeps,
Yet secrets of the ages keeps.
Can you see yourself in Joseph's stead -
Honorable, obedient carpenter,
The little family's earthly head?
Can you see yourself in Mary's place -
The wonderment of motherhood
Traced in the soft love on her face?
Oh, stay awhile, and then some more;
The stable has a place for all
Who love the great Incarnate Lord.
Your name the still, small Voice does call.
The swaddled baby come and touch;
He came because He loves you much.
Imagine, as though you were there,
Every detail of that night.
All you are, pour out in prayer
As you kneel to look by firelight.
The wonder of God's precious Gift,
Ever let it your soul lift.
Can you see yourself at eventide
In the stable long ago?
Meet Him then each morningtide
Right in your house; the God-Man know.
Though grown, His love is still the same;
To know Him more, your soul's best aim.
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