
I’ve had my Nativity tableau for 25 years now. (It has lost a few shepherds and candle-wax adorns a lamb or two!) I bring it out of its box on the first Sunday of Advent every year, and return it to its box after the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th, when we remember the Magi coming to worship and offer their gifts to the baby born King of all the world.
As I knelt and reflected on all of this, I wrote the following poem:
In Wonder I Kneel at the Stable
To the shepherds and the cow shed
– Lord You came;
There is nothing that You wouldn’t do
– to take away our shame.
To the hopeless and the rich, or poor,
– You showed Your face,
So even those in filth and rags
– can receive Your Grace
–
I was messed up, poor and filthy
– but to me You came;
You loved every little bit of me
– and removed my shame.
You washed me in Your Holy blood
– and made me new and free
To be with You and You with me
– eternally!
**
In wonder I kneel
– at the stable,
– at the cross,
– and before Your heavenly throne
**
You came for the wise and wealthy too
To those far away
By a light You led them to the new-born King
A light to the gentiles
and to those gone astray.
–
I was far away, gone astray,
but to me you came.
I was wise, in my own eyes,
but you loved me all the same.
**
In wonder I kneel
– at the stable,
– at the cross,
– and before Your heavenly throne.
**
I worship You with a thankful, joyful heart,
for what You have done for me
– What I could never hope to do have done,
Which You knew when You created me.
–
And I kneel before You in the stable,
with the shepherds and with the wise men,
and worship You for Who You are
– Almighty, ever-loving, merciful Father.
**
In wonder I kneel
– at the stable,
– at the cross,
– and before Your heavenly throne.