It’s Christmas Again

Silent Night Chapel - Oberndorf, Germany

It’s Christmas Again

Seems like forever, and yet yesterday

Everything was normal, but that has no meaning today

The four horsemen have always been here,

but lately they have been winning more

And … it’s Christmas again.

We saw the storm clouds rising, but hoped for sun

When the rains fell at first, we saw some benefit

Then the night came, and the cold, and the dark brought death

And …. It’s Christmas again.

We used to have neighbors, now we have “Oh Them”

Some cyber news has infected the folk on the block

They have flags, and slogans,

and lots of friends who think like “them”

And …. Yet … it’s Christmas again.

Bombs and rockets fall on the innocent now,

children without helmets

Rich nations want more so they take more,

misery means victory to them

Poor people just want to simply live and yet they horribly die

And …. Unthinkably … it’s Christmas again.

I’m not sure how to fill out my creche this year

I think the wise men got turned back at the border

The shepherds didn’t look up from their

phone games to see the Angels

And … almost without notice … it’s Christmas again.

Come Lord, into the darkness of December, into our humble homes

Come Lord, into a million aching souls, searching for the light

Come Lord, into our confused and troubled hearts, with a new birth

Because … behind the tears and fears, dreams and hopes …

it’s Christmas again.

Fill us Lord, not with the bounty of the table,

but with your loving smile

Fill us Lord, not with a tree bursting with boxes,

but with a message for our hearts

Fill us Lord, not with the constant clamor of Carols, but a quiet peace

And … bring us Hope and Peace and Joy and Love …

Because … it’s Christmas again.

We need Christmas, … again.

May the personal powerful presence of Christ be yours this year.

© Rev. Steve Petty, 2022

Reprinted with permission