Emmanuel (God with us)

A baby in a stable?  
I don't think I am able
To fully grasp the full extent 
of what this little baby meant -
and means today, 
as we prepare for Christmas day.


The carol says he did not cry
Yet now God weeps for all mankind
And longs that they, this Christmas time
The true messiah, true hope would find.


They laid him in a manger,
For God there was no space
And I must look inside my heart
And see if there's a place -
Where God can dwell.
I know so well
Without Him there's no point, no reason
For this celebrated season.


God with us, Emmanuel
God with us, on earth to dwell
Mighty God, yet made so small
God requiring of us all
That we pause, take time to see
That this - the glitter and the tree
Is all about God's love for me.


But how and why would God love me?
A life so flawed, a life so tired
Perhaps God's love has now expired, 
Is Jesus just for Christmas?
Packed away with decorations
Forgotten until next year
When we repeat the celebrations.


Lets take to heart this Christmas truth
Of God to human hearts made real
And join the wise men and the shepherds
Gaze on Him and humbly kneel,
Bring Him gifts, our lives, our all
A little baby in a stall.


Just a child?  Just a story?
Or the promised King Of Glory?
Life can never be the same
Since this little baby came.


Karen Holmes
14 December 2005


I think the most important line in this poem comes at the end, Just a child?  Just a story?  Or the promised King of Glory?  What do you think?  The answer you give makes a lot of difference........