HIS EYES

His Eyes

His eyes blinked open, His heart stirred by the commotion outside. He looked up from the cold feed trough, out through the rough wooden stable gate, and into a star-lit sky. His mother, asleep in a mound of hay an arms-length away, weighed heavy on the mind of his dad who was out for the third time tonight searching for any available room. Looking at the stars He created, as they danced and sparkled and flashed, a bright light tore open the black emptiness of the distant horizon. The Heavenly Hosts, that He left just hours before, were now delivering His message of hope and salvation to a handful of shepherds on the outskirts of Bethlehem.The rugged gate-post, knotted and splintered and worn, stood tall and obscured His view. His eyes focused on the cross-beam rafter, held fast to the gate post by a few large metal spikes. He could hear His worship beyond the wood and nails that now stood between Him and home. A cool wind blew as the night stood silent once again. His mother startled against the evening chill. She checked her baby lying still and looked into …His eyes.                                                  ©(2021), Joseph Crain

Used by permission of the author

HIS BIRTH

                  HIS BIRTH

The stars twinkle in the cold crisp sky -
twinkling to light the way for the grand entrance
Sunset expelling rays creating hues of blue,
rose, grey and fiery red,
Clouds stood far off allowing her splendor
room to excel -
Soon she laid down to rest, pulling her
colorful blanket over her head.
Stars hid, seas stopped their
waves, trees stood erect, birds quieted in
anticipation of His arrival.
Soon the North Star shone brightly
illuminating the heaven – awaiting His arrival.

Creatures on earth knelt in honor – awaiting His arrival.

She cried as the pains of life drew near.
Pains which she would feel throughout His life.
A sigh of relief when upon her thighs she felt
His presence.
Smile of relief for rest was near.

Stars twinkled for all to see.
The King has arrived!
Seas roared in jubilation -
Moon raised high -
Creatures stood over Him
He who would change the lives of mankind
for centuries  – had arrived

I knelt in adoration at the foot of
the cradle - this King born unto thee.

                             © E.  Crispin – 
                                     February 1993

-- used with permission of author

                         

A PERFECTLY TIMED CHRISTMAS DONKEY RIDE

A Perfectly Timed Christmas Donkey Ride

                                   – Mary A. LaClair

To all my readers:  Have a Blessed  Christmas and a Blessed New Year !

What?? !!   God had a nine months pregnant woman riding a donkey??

“Really,  God, don’t you think that’s more than just-a-little unkind? These have been my thoughts for years.  After giving birth three times, further contemplation on my part becomes:  “When I get to heaven, I intend to question God on that matter”.

 Luke 2:5    To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife,  being great with child.  KJV

          

Awaiting the birth of a third great-grandchild, I was allowed the privilege of accompanying my daughter and her daughter (my grand-daughter) in the birthing room. And as It happened, it was mid-December.

Again my thoughts flashed back to a very important, very pregnant woman on a donkey.  “Gee whiz, God, how could you do that, it seems so unkind…”

Little did I know that God planned on answering me, by way of explanation, this very day —

There were two chairs in the room, since visitors were limited to two family members. So when the grand-daughter’s life-long best friend was briefly allowed in, I sat on, what looked like, a large exercise ball.

Wondering why it was in that particular room, I asked a nurse who explained:

“It’s called a ‘birthing ball’. Women sit on it, gently bouncing up and down. It’s supposed to help the baby move along in the birth canal.”

….my mind comprehends….  “Ah!  Thus the donkey!!” 

There may be times when we THINK God is being unkind, when He is actually doing us a favor. Even so, we may not know this until much later.

Trust God that He will work things out for good in the end.

And it is OK to ask to eventually see that good.

It was a perfectly timed donkey ride.