Seeing Christmas

See the donkey, bearing Mary,
See the dark and barren stall,
See the Christ Child, squirming, crying,
See the God who made us all.

See the shepherds, breathless, frightened,
See the sky alive with song,
See the travelers with their presents,
See King Herod’s rage grow strong.

See the Teacher, squatting, speaking,
See the crowd that mutters, eats,
See the broken-hearted mother
Hug her son whom Jesus treats.

See the leaders, growing darker,
See the hatred in their hearts,
See their Maker, quiet, moving
Toward the storm that broils, starts.

See the friend betray his Master,
See the frenzy of the crowd,
See the Sovereign Jesus, silent,
Waiting there with head bowed.

See the fear in Pilate’s actions,
See the mocking soldiers laugh,
See them beat Him, bruise Him, break Him,
As He ripped the veil in half.

See the angels, vast, unnumbered,
Poised to smite the crowd below,
See the Father, silent, bidding
Evil men to crush their Foe.

See the soldiers, laughing, gambling
For the tunic, smooth and whole,
See the broken body bleeding,
By His wounds to save their soul.

See the realms of darkness shouting
As they view the death they crave,
See the silent women, weeping,
Bringing spices to His grave.

See the first soft lights of morning,
See the radiant Son arise,
See the claws of death are broken,
See the King has won His prize.

See Him, and in seeing, trust Him,
Let His coming be for you
Not just Christmas, glib and happy,
But awesome pardon, life made new.