One Winter in the Barn

Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn

I remember dark winter mornings in the barn. There the pitch black of the milking stall gave way to the gentle light of a candle stub placed on the beam. The aroma of the hay mixed together with the pungent smell of our Guernsey cow at close quarters. I can still see our cat Kansas City waiting for her small share of milk. The cow snuffed up the dairy mix of ground corn allowing me to do my work and I remember that our Lord came in such a humble place. Though being in God’s form with power, riches and honor He willingly chose to come to Bethlehem’s barn. We do not know for sure that it was winter, yet that night was still surely cold. Cows and sheep, chicken and donkeys haven’t updated since his birth. All was still in that place as the animals slept till the baby cried, the shepherds came and bowed down together with angels to worship Him.

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One Christmas Amazed

One Christmas Amazed

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There’s a Christmas for Santa

And a Christmas for Elves

And a Christmas for stores

That are filling their shelves

There’s Christmas on TV

And for fresh falling snow

And trees decorated with lights that can glow

But in the midst of the ruckus that is filling our lanes

Is there room for the Child

Who gave Christmas its name?

 

Is there space at our table for a forgotten lost son?

Is there a place on our lists for someone with no home?

Is there hope in our hearts for the broken and shamed?

Or are we too busy to remember their names?

 

As you put up your tree then on top place the star

That remembers the kings who came from so far

Who knelt and rejoiced back in old Bethlehem

As they opened their gifts in their worship for Him

Take a moment to pray with a heart full of praise

For on Christmas was born God’s true grace that amazed

Poem One Christmas Amazed  by Peter Caligiuri 2016