Merry Christmas

BETHLEHEM

On the way to Bethlehem
Walked Ruth
Daughter of Moab, sprung from indecency, an outsider
Now she whose name is Friendship, proclaims herself a friend
“Your people will be my people and your God my God.”
In Bethlehem she encounters her redeemer
From them springs David and the Son of David, Redeemer
In Bethlehem, House of Bread.

On the way to Bethlehem
Walked Samuel
Uncertainly, fearfully, but obediently
To anoint God’s chosen king with oil
In the presence of his brethren that day
The Spirit of God came in power on
David and the Son of David, the Anointed One
In Bethlehem, House of Bread

On the way to Bethlehem
Yearned a scattered Israel from afar
Clinging to the prophet’s words
“I will assemble the exiles, you who have no king,
Out of you, little Bethlehem. will come for me
One who will be ruler over Israel,
Whose origins are from of old, from everlasting”
Son of David, Anointed One, Redeemer
In Bethlehem, House of Bread.

On the way to Bethlehem
Went up Mary
Uncertainly, fearfully, but obediently
“Be it unto me as you have said.”
To bring forth the seed of the woman
God’s Anointed, Son of David, Redeemer
Attended by shepherds
In Bethlehem, House of Bread.

On the way to Bethlehem
I went
Yearning, uncertain, an outsider
Seeking God’s Anointed One, Friendship
Seeking food for my starving soul
I encountered my Redeemer, Son of David,
The Shepherd who feeds me
In Bethlehem, House of Bread.

lornewel - December 24, 2006