What Child is This

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Such fascination 
with the story of a child.
Why Bethlehem?
Why a donkey?
Why a stable and feeding troth.

A child sees a manger
and a carol comes to mind.
She sees a shepherd
and takes note of the sheep.

To a child
the animals are important,
and the angels.
She watches the kings,
and wants to know their names
and what gifts they bring.

Even to an adult,
Jesus is accessible in the hay.
He has yet to teach
words we don't want to hear.
He has yet to embrace
a repentant tax collector,
or prostitute.
He has yet to tell those near him
that he will die.

But for now,
Advent is upon us.
We can gaze like children
at a manger scene
and quietly hum,
'What Child is This'.



copyright 2023 - Donald P James Jr


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