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.”