Shining Spirit

Why are the sheep so nervous tonight?
Does something stalk and cause this fright?
I think it’s the light that’s scaring them so,
and it comes from that star, such a powerful glow.
I’ve never seen this before.

It must be a sign or an omen of ill.
Tragedy comes!  Right here on these hills!
The sheep are the first to sense the intent
of some treacherous spirit with evil bent
to destroy us and the flock.

Calm down.  Calm down.  I hear what you say.
But I disagree.  I think not that way.
The flock is nervous and milling around,
but the sheep are all moving toward Bethlehem town.
Perhaps the omen is good.

Let’s follow the sheep and see where they go.
Their instinct is keen, perhaps they all know
something that we cannot understand,
maybe a miracle is clearly at hand.
Come on, they’re leaving us here.

Aren’t we supposed to lead the sheep?
They’re leading us.  Come on, let’s keep
the pace and hurry right along.
What’s that?  The sound of lovely song,
as sweet as angel choirs.

Who are those men?  They look like Kings
in their fancy robes and jeweled rings?
Have they ever been through our town before?
I wonder what they have in store
for someone down the road?

Do you think they’re chiefs of foreign states?
Diplomats or Potentates?
They seem to watch the nighttime sky,
and I wonder why they hurry by
without a friendly word.

They must be headed for David’s town.
There’s nothing else for miles around.
But why the rush on this starry night?
What drives them on?  What heavenly sight?
Maybe that big, bright star!

That star is new in the eastern sky.
An omen, you think, for someone to die?
Perhaps it’s seen all over the earth.
Maybe it signals a great person’s birth.
I suppose we’ll never know.

News travels slow out here.

“Would you explain all this to me?
Why am I tied here to this tree?
And who are all those people there
saying goodbye to that young pair?
Are they going on a trip?

“Yes, indeed, and so are you.
I overheard a word or two.
She’s about to birth a child
but they must travel many miles
to get to Bethlehem.”

“Okay, I see what is in store.
I haul the bags just like before.
Just once I’d like a lighter load.
It’s not a very easy road
from here to Bethlehem.

“Well, here they come.  I guess it’s time.
But wait, why does the woman climb
upon my back?  Can this be true?
A lovely child, and lighter, too,
than all the tents and poles.

“I will remember this fine day
and I will cherish, come what may,
the honor and the gift bestowed
to carry such an easy load
all the way to Bethlehem.

“By the way, what’s the young woman’s name?”

“It’s hard to believe but the news is true.
The choice is made, and they picked you.
From all the stars who wanted to go,
you are the one who will brightly show
the way to Bethlehem”

“How can it be that they chose me!
I’m not convinced I can really be
bright enough to show the way
to the place where Mary and Joseph stay.
What if I burn out!”

“Calm down, my friend.  You’ll shine just fine.
Your light is strong.  You’ll be the sign
to guide the world to that special place
where everyone can see the face
of love in a manger stall.

“Now, get some rest.  The time draws near.
Lay out your course and have no fear
for you are picked from all the rest,
undoubtedly the very best
to guide the world to him.

“And by the way, when you look down
on the sleepy little village town,
shine softly on his gentle face,
hold him in a sweet embrace
and say hello for me.

As we drove home tonight my friend gasped and said:  “Look at the beauty in that golden sunset!”

But all I could see was the napalm glare, then came the smell of the chemical, then the heat from crackling flames.

And all I could hear was the deep, painful cry of the wounded and tortured earth.

And in my mind I walked again through the agonies of hell.

And I wept for the beauty of a sunset’s gift.

And I cried for my friends who could not see it.

In my heart I am grateful for what I see.
In my mind I know searing pain and unrelenting grief.

If only my mind and my heart could embrace and look out upon the world together.

Some life reminders for Second Graders at a local elementary school where I volunteer   Works for adults, too  

Welcome to Advent!  Watching.  Waiting.  Hoping.  Expecting.  Be refreshed in the Spirit.  Welcome to Advent!

Sacred drops of life.  Say “hello” to your history and your future.

Could light exist if there was no darkness?
Is darkness defined by the absence of light?

Is one superior to the other?

In the dawning of each day I will look for commonalities.
I will be conscious of the potential that resides
in the space between opposing views,
in the tender territory where reason can
sit down with emotion and share a
cup of commonality.
Sacred cup.

I will hold the thread of hope lightly
but confidently, and I will trust you
to do the same.  It is the linkage,
the elusive strand that holds us and all things
together in a patchwork of opposites.
“We” don’t exist if there is no honoring the
value of courageous collaboration.

We will continue to grasp the illusion of strength
in foundations crafted on sand if we allow the thread
to be swept away by the voracious winds of
invective, insult, or indifference.

You and I can live in a world that is frayed around
the edges, but we cannot survive the unnecessary tragedy
of careless or intentional unraveling.

When you’re in a bad mood
and life makes you brood
about injustices, insults or snubs,
say to yourself, “By golly, by gosh,
although not thought of as high class or posh,
I’m going to go walk in a wash.”

Really not bad advice.
First, it’s good exercise, and
you know you need it.
Second, once you stop kicking
the sand in frustration, and
decide to act like a guest in
someone’s living room,
you might learn something
about the wash and
about yourself.

I know.  Wild green stuff everywhere.
Unkempt.  Disordered.  Not a garden spot.
And the sand’s too deep, and there’s a
fly who thinks he’s a relative and
won’t leave you alone.
And it’s too hot!
Blah, blah, blah.
Get over it
You’re in a wash.

Look at that yellow weed that thinks
it’s something special.  Show-off.
But, it does add some lovely color,
doesn’t it.  In fact, it’s quite pretty
draping itself over those bland
bushes ad climbing to the top of
that old tree.  In fact, I think
I’ll take a picture and add it to my
Nature Album.  There.  Very nice.

Wait.  Look over there…

See, you’re off and running.
The wash is working its magic.
I predict that by the time you
decide to climb out of the wash
you will have a shoe full of sand,
five or six good photos, and
a smile on your face.

So, when you’re in a bad mood
and life makes you brood
about injustices, insults or snubs,
say to yourself:  “By golly, by gosh,
although not thought of as high class or posh,
I’m going back to visit that wash.