Sunday, December 2, 2012

We Set Up the Creche Last Night...




SETTING UP THE MANGER SCENE

 

A few snowflakes drift in wintry air

as I carry the carton down the stairs

and unwrap the antique fragile things—

a manger, some camels and three kings.

 

I set them on the polished tabletop,

being careful not to chip or drop

them as I do. Sheep and shepherd men

are arranged as entering Bethlehem.

 

An angel, gilded, with one chipped wing

is affixed above; her place to sing.

There’s a cow and donkey, nibbling straw,

Joseph, kneeling, with a look of awe

 

and Mary, new at being mother

gazing adoringly at none other

than her swaddled, holy, infant Son…

Jesus, Our Savior, on day one.

 

As I move each figure, to its place,

I call upon God’s loving grace…

pray each who stand before my manger,

to Jesus, will never be a stranger.

 

May this heirloom crèche, made long ago

recall the event that sets hearts aglow.

May He be for them, as He’s been for me—

 

Sweet Love …

for now

and through eternity.

 

Maude Carolan Pych

 I hand-painted my ceramic Nativity scene in 1965 and have been setting it up every Christmas since.

 This poem appears in "From My Heart to Yours at Christmas...Cookies & Poems". If you would like to order the 32 page booklet, send a check for $7.00 plus $1.00 p&h made out to Maude Carolan Pych to P.O. Box 2211, Woodland Park, NJ 07424.

 

 

 

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