An alternative Christmas

'An alternative Christmas' by Barbara Toyne

Christmas is, when a child is born,
any child, anywhere –
bringing with it, if only for a single moment,
that spark of heavenly glory, as a reminder
and a promise, that all can be made new.

Christmas is, when Orion dances over the
rooftops, best foot forward,
left toe twinkling,
never doubting direction nor destination.

Christmas is, when the blackbird risks
hanging upside down
to snatch the crumpled crab-apple
from the inhospitable tree.

Christmas is, when invisible angels
hold together our fractured world,
containing our fears
and guarding the abyss.

***

These images only floated into my mind a few days ago when I meditated on the plight of the increasing number of the poor, the homeless, the displaced, all those who will not go on shopping sprees to overload their fridges, deep freezers and larders, but have to look to find riches and beauty. They may look at the night sky and there find hope and comfort at nature with its rhythms that neither kings nor politicians can control. I pray that Heaven will respond to their need and help them through dark times. It is the only Christmas present I long for, the one thing so desperately needed on our earth.

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