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Christmas
Poetry
The Christmas Nitty-Gritties
Poor folk in our mountains and Illegals in
our cities -- Will these people bring to mind The Christmas
nitty-gritties?
What good can come from Nazareth out
there in Galilee? Why are they in Bethlehem, that no count
family?
What hopes and fears does Jesus dream up there on
Heavens throne? The dreams of those he traveled with, exiled,
oppressed, alone.
--Fr. Michael Burton Roark Salisbury, Md.
What is Christmas?
Im tired of the tinsel, and the jingle of the
minstrels, and their jivin advertisin emphasizin
shopping days.
Im sick of all the pictures emphasizin old
Saint Nicklas, and the real live jive of Santas in the halls of
shopping malls.
Decorating all the nation for big sales
anticipation makes me really want to shout: What is Christmas all
about?
What is Christmas?
Christmas is a
child! Who was born, like you and me. Who was born for you
and me! And this baby is for free!
--Fr. Raymond F. Sullivan, MM Maryknoll,
N.Y.
The Infants Eyes
The light from his face was nothing To cause one to
cover the eyes, To stand back in awe, To stir the silent, secret places
of the heart.
His was only a tiny infant face, Smudged with dust here
and there, With small lips that quivered from the cold And framed by
straw-entangled hair.
Yet, something in the eyes Told of worlds where
light never fades, Where warm winds blow And tears never fall.
It
was the eyes That made the heart beat faster, That held the mind
spellbound, That awakened dreams of eternal days, Life unending, Love
forever everywhere.
--Fr. Augustine John Moore Espanola, N.M.
Christmas Flowering
The bracts have had their hours of darkness. Saint
Lucys light in high relief shines on the 13th. This branch cut. So
pure, the albescent blood of Christmas pours forth as genesis of
change, conveyed by Gabriel in the naming of Your name
Emmanuel!
--Kathleen Gunton Orange, Calif.
Christmas Shopping
Hope is the coin of my Christmas shopping. I fondle it
in my pocket, warm, comforting, familiar. On what to spend it? For
myself? On love enduring, so steadfast that It withers not with death or
disaffection. But for my others? Better spent for them: On meaning for
their lives. On values, clear and beckoning. A deepening of pain and joy
to stretch their souls to grow. But is my focus still too small? What of
those whose faces I cant see? On freedom to choose and not just
endure. On power that enables and creates. Yet what of nations locked in
stalemate, Insanity poised and holy wars Ready to annihilate
us all? Dare I spend my hope on such a visionary dream? A world of
justice and of peace Where other peoples needs are rights Seen by
all as equal to their own.
But Christmas is of miracles. I need not
make the choice. My tiny coin of hope can buy it all. The revelation
blinds in its simplicity. Love, justice, joy and meaning -- The Christmas
gifts wait only our enfleshment. We can never be born
enough.
--Helen Fitzgerald East Hampton, N.Y.
Where are the Women of Nativity?
Angels, shepherds, magi-majesty all recorded in
history; but annals lack a certain clarity. Where are the women of
nativity?
To name one she seems charity (that none were
there
absurdity!) No shepherds spouse for
hospitality or woman of maturity? No female hand of domesticity or
midwife with ability? No girl-childs brimful curiosity to
see the babe in a livery?
A fertile, feminine
fraternity blessed His birth
compassionately; yet, lost are
all in anonymity -- Oh! Where are the women of nativity?
Sophia
Wisdom of Divinity, until all recognize our ministry, endow our kind with
tenacity; for We are the women of nativity.
--Pat Mings Idaho Falls, Idaho
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1999 in poetry
Poems should be limited to about 50 lines and preferably typed.
Please send poems to NCR POETRY, 115 E. Armour Blvd., Kansas City MO
64111-1203. Or via e-mail to poetry@natcath.org or fax (816)
968-2280. Please include your street address, city, state, zip and daytime
telephone number. NCR offers a small payment for poems we publish, so
please include your Social Security number.
National Catholic Reporter, December 24,
1999
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