Alleluia!
No mere apparition in the sky,
a religious festival of note,
but a birth in the family!
God, you give us joy.
Not mere words, even of angels,
but deepest love made flesh.
God, you bring your heart close.
Alleluia!
Not a divine command,
even for mercy,
but your Loving Presence itself,
God with us,
because this is where you love to be.
God, you give us yourself.
Alleluia!
May God come and settle close to you
these twelve days, and onward.
—December 26, 2018