---THE TRUE LIGHT THAT GIVES LIGHT:/ THE CHRIST CHILD IS BORN!

---"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord." --

--On Christ morning, I arise early. I turn on the ovens and set the cheese grits, the egg casseroles, and the sweet breads out on the counter. Then, in the quiet house, I light the middle candle on the Advent wreath and wait for the Christ.

I study the creche, handmade in Zimbabwe. A stream of animals wait in line to see the baby. There's a donkey and a camel, sheep and goats. There's also a hippo, a lion, a lion , a warthog, a giraffe, a leopard, and a rhino
A baby destined to be the most important religious figure this world has ever know. The Jewish faith considers Him a great teacher. We call Him the Son of God.

Later, we welcome guests of different races and religions into ur home on this holies morning. David reads the Christmas story as we gather at the table. Sure, it means varying things to each person gathered there. But together we are like the improbably hoard of animals waiting for a glimpse of a Zimbabwean creche. Even though we are all very different, we find ourselves in a simple place, where each heart humble longs for love.

Now I pass the cheese grits around the table, and then the eggs. I see people laughing, trading stories, getting to know each other. I look deeply, really deeply, into the eyes of each person I serve, and for one moment a radiant light bursts around me, and I stand at the manger and smell the hay. Jesus the Light of the world has come.


--Guideposts/PK~

--"Your Presence Is a Promise" <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qipJcM5k_mI>
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