A gift from the Father

Big surprise, I got up early this morning ready to write. Thinking my characters wouldn't rest on this day before Christmas, I put pen to paper--or finger to keyboard--and what happened next is something I want to share with all of you.Instead of another chapter, a poem appeared on my computer screen. I haven't written a poem in more than twenty years. The last one being for my best friend Christy's funeral in high school. For me, writing is more than coming up with a good story--it is worship. The poem I wrote is as much an act of worship as singing praises at church on Sunday. (Maybe more so, because that's the way the Father wired me.) Writing is a gift to be shared with others, so this poem is my Christmas gift to all of you. I pray your HOLYday is filled with the blessing of God's love.


The Gift –A poem by Kristi Hardin-Alexander

Impoverished teenaged parents,
Far from home.
Baby boy born in a barn,
Manger for a crib.

“From you little Bethlehem, a mighty ruler will come!”

Birth announced by the Heavenly Host,
To lowly Shepherds.
They found him wrapped in rags,
Surrounded by smelly animals.

“Unto to us a child is born.”

Old man, eyes dim with age,
Beheld the Light of the Lord’s promise.
Faithful prophetess, always at the temple found,
Told everyone she saw.

“Immanuel, God with us.”

Kings bore royal gifts from a faraway land,
His own people missed the star.
Greedy false king gave a wicked decree,
The angel said, “You must flee!”

“Out of Egypt I have called my Son”

Wicked king gone, in danger no more,
Home to Nazareth they returned.
In wisdom and favor with God and men,
The child grew strong.

“He grew like a young plant, a root out of dry ground”

The child, sent from the Father above,
That we may all know His great love.
On a hillside years later, arms outstretched,
He cried out and breathed His last.

“It is finished.”

For me the way was made, no more lost in sin--
My adoption complete.
One day with the host I will sing:

“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty.”