Wednesday, December 23, 2020 – Thoughts before Christmas Eve/Christmas Day 

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” (Luke 2: 8, King James Version)

Abiding,
        Hunkered down,

            Living exposed in the fields,
                Out in the open, unsheltered,

Abiding,
        Dwelling in the darkness,
            Mindful of the roars of devouring lions,
                Vulnerable to the vagaries of wolf and bear.

Abiding,
        Keeping watch in the biting winds of misfortune and ever-present threats,
            Tending to our burdens of care and worry,
                Shepherding our tensions and anxieties.

These are strange fields in which to dwell, to camp,
        to pine for shelter,
        to call home for a season.

Truth be told, we confess that we can’t abide these circumstances.
Nevertheless, there seems little choice,
        So we abide and wait,
        And hope
        And long for some new morning
        When God’s Love renews itself in Light and Grace.

Abiding in our familiar fields and environs,
       Waiting,
       Hoping,
       Praying,
For even the faintest whisper of angels on the wing
And for the fresh winds of carolled song
       To clear the night air of fog and fears.

Eager to be anywhere but here,
We anticipate a signal, some word, some fresh opinion
That it is possible not to abide or dwell here any longer,
       But move forward,
       Seek Good News,
       Scurry toward Bethlehem.

The glorious shelter of stable and manger
surpasses the poverty of our fields.

 
In the strength of mother and child
In the wee small hands of a baby
In the mystery of birth and new life
Comes a new invitation:
      “Abide in me and I in you”

Abiding!

Dale