Recognition:

Dweller in wilderness ( bleak, barren, remote )
John , the son of Elizabeth, did baptize
With Jordan's water
Those crowds who credited his foretelling , so incredible,
The imminent appearance of the prophesied Messiah.

With what wonderment and awe
Did John percieve
Within the face of Mary's eldest son ---
The , untill recent days , carpenter of Nazareth town,
Indeed , Johns own cousin ---

The inner light of the anticipated Christ !

" Suffer it to be so , "
Urged the Master of the Baptist.
And John, in humility and obedience,
Did symbolically annoint his contemporary,
The chosen one of God.

Then gental dove appeared,
And thunderous voice ( heard only by the chosen )
Did signify, " My beloved Son . "
Thus loyal John his secondary role performed,
Fulfilling Scripture's sacred prophecy.

Sweet baptizer of a bygone age,
What an example for us
Here , today !

To recognize----- not in some distant one,
But harder still
( Demanding total selflessness )
To know within thoses closest,
Among one's own dear family,
Some glimmer of the Christ.

Thomas Alan Waldman