Wednesday night I had dinner with some friends (Mexican; I ate EVERYTHING on my plate) and then we went to sing Christmas carols at church. They also had cookies. Don't worry, I managed to eat two, even though I was quite full from supper.
Along with the carols, a few poems were read. I loved this one:
An angel came to me
and I was unprepared
to be what God was using
Mother I was to be.
A moment I despaired,
thought briefly of refusing.
The angel knew I heard.
According to God's Word
I bowed to this strange choosing.
A palace should have been
the birthplace of a king
(I had no way of knowing).
We went to Bethlehem;
it was so strange a thing
The wind was cold, and blowing,
my cloak was old, and thin.
They turned us from the inn;
the town was overflowing.
God's Word, a child so small
who still must learn to speak
lay in humiliation.
Joseph stood, strong and tall.
The beasts were warm and meek
and moved with hesitation.
The Child bron in a stall?
I understood it: all.
Kings came in adoration.
Perhaps it was absurd;
a stable set apard,
the sleepy cattle lowing;
and the Incarnate Word
resting against my heart.
My joy was overflowing.
The shepherds came, adored
the folly of the Lord,
wiser than all men's knowing.
-- Madelein L'Engle
I drove back home being encouraged by my friends Beth and Mary. One moved home from 1/2 way accross the country to take care of a parent going through really rough chemo. The other teaches elementry school in an underprivelaged area and goes out of her way to love her kids. Like wash their clothes, send food home so they can eat supper, and spend time with them outside of the classroom.
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ -- Matthew 25:40
Also, in case you were wondering, the Mexican didn't agree with Beth and I. And by "didn't agree with" I mean a mild case of food poisening. I'll say this: it made for an interesting morning.
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