It was a full day with the Mayors' Prayer breakfast at 7AM, followed by MOPS, nephews visiting, and a rushed dinner prep of cheesesteaks from Jim's because there just was no time. Couldn't resist opening the envelope from Uncle Henry and Aunt Diane that peeked out from under the junk mail on the counter as the wrapped sandwiches were ripped open by our ravenous crew.
The enclosure with the glittery card took my breath away:
(handwritten)
Christmas Thoughts of 1966
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem,
The stars shown bright in the sky,
Mary and Joseph were by his bed
And the cattle stood nearby.
The shepherds heard the angels sing
Alleluias, to the newborn King,
and the wisemen brought gifts from afar,
Led to the manger by the brightest star.
So let us all with the angels sing
Alleluias to the infant King.
And bring as did the Wisemen of old,
Gifts to the Babe, whom the Prophets foretold.
Alice R.
December 12, 1966
One of my Nana's simple poems that I had not yet heard. So many of these verses were tucked in her little house, stacked amidst Polaroid photos of grandchildren and church bulletins and letters from far way friends. Each week on our way home from church in the city we pass the church where her Daddy Joe pastored a century ago. I suspect he prayed for us and these children of ours without ever knowing us in this lifetime.
She has been singing her own alleluias in Heaven for about 7 years now, but my family continues to daily live with the gifts of her faithful legacy. As we read the poem to our children by candlelight at our advent wreath lighting tonight, I tried to grasp that their faith and ours has been woven through centuries of fellow believers all speaking their love for Him, for His Word, in the company of those coming after them. His Grace is beyond me.
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