‘Tis the Season to be meditative if we’re to find peace against the tide, seek meaning amidst the frenzy. Reading the Season is the annual Christmas reading post here on Ripple Effects. I’d selected Luci Shaw’s poems before, see list at the bottom of this post. The following is a new discovery.
It is as if Infancy were the Whole of Incarnation
by Luci Shaw
One time of the year
the new-born child
is everywhere,
planted in madonnas’ arms
hay mows, stables
in palaces or farms,
or quaintly, under snowed gables,
gothic angular or baroque plump,
naked or elaborately swathed,
encircled by Della Robia wreaths,
garnished with whimsical
partridges and pears,
drummers and drums,
lit by oversize stars,
partnered with lambs,
peace doves, sugar plums,
bells, plastic camels in sets of three
as if these were what we need
for eternity.
But Jesus the Man is not to be seen.
We are too wary, these days,
of beards and sandalled feet.
Yet if we celebrate, let it be
that he
has invaded our lives with purpose,
striding over our picturesque traditions,
our shallow sentiment,
overturning our cash registers,
wielding his peace like a sword,
rescuing us into reality
demanding much more
than the milk and the softness
and the mother warmth
of the baby in the storefront creche,
(only the Man would ask
all, of each of us)
reaching out
always, urgently, with strong
effective love
(only the Man would give
his life and live
again for love of us).
Oh come, let us adore him—
Christ—the Lord.”
–– Luci Shaw (Check out her beautiful website here)
I found this poem online. Have been trying to locate its original printed source to no avail. If you know where it was printed, do let me know in a comment.
Reading the Season in Previous Years:
2022: Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s God is in the Manger
2021: Sabbath Poems by Wendell Berry
2020: Jack by Marilynne Robinson
2019: ‘A Hidden Life’ – A Film for the Season
2018: A Verse from Madeleine L’Engle’s The Irrational Season
2017: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
2014: Lila by Marilynne Robinson
2013: Poetry by Madeleine L’Engle
2012: Surprised by Joy by C. S. Lewis
2011: Walking on Water by Madeleine L’Engle
2010: A Widening Light by Luci Shaw
2009: The Irrational Season by Madeleine L’Engle
Ripple Effects 
Merry Christmas, Arti!!! Thank you!!! Oh my!! Oh, yes!!
We celebrate His birth with the fullness of Joy …. And then He grew up and …… for the sake of Love …. suffered and died for us.
Oh, my!!! Oh, yes!!! He gave His life for us, so that we could be with Him forever. Let us give our lives to Jesus Christ, so that we will be with Him forever.
God bless, C-Marie
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A Blessed Christmas to you, C-Marie.
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Another blogger I read regularly references Lucy Shaw, but I’ve never explored her work. When I clicked on the link to her site just now, I smiled at the title Angels Everywhere. Apparently many of us have angels on our minds just now! I always look forward to this post from you, and this one was especially enjoyable. Merry Christmas, Arti!
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Do check out the photo gallery on Luci Shaw’s website. A Merry Christmas to you too, Linda!
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Merry Christmas, Arti. May it be as lovely as this poem.
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