Christmas Poem - God With Us

Emmanuel - God with us

A concept, an idea, a precept that seems so out of touch

How can the God who dwells outside it all, above it all, beyond it all, possibly make himself this small

This finite, this definable, this touchable this reachable, this identifiable.

Nah - it can't be; it's an impossibility.

But if we look at the big picture, take this book in its entirety

Search out the metanarrative, look for the imperative

We find our heart's cry and deepest longing echo with our brothers and sisters from the ancient times, the common thronging.

In that appearing what does it mean, what promise burgeons, what vision teems?

A God with us who knows our suffering, who gets our flaws and knows our failings

Who in wars, pandemics, uprisings, all forces external

Understands our frailty and insecurity internal.

The loneliness, the anxiety, the depression and the fear

Who isn't put off but says that's why I came here

So you would know from beginning to end my determination has always been

To dwell with my people, to call them my own, here check my history.

From the garden to the sea split, to the law and to the prophets my love kept on taking hits.

through it all my love made way, I provided for every fall

Even if you let me down, even if you witheld your trust,

I am Emmanuel

I am God With Us

With you in the suffering, with you in the pain, with you in the harsh drought and with you in the rain

With you in your celebration when joy and life spring true

With you in your doubting I will remain with you.