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Showing posts from December, 2014

Simple Gifts for a King

When as a child I came into the world Helpless and lying in a draughty shed Your wisest men, they say, brought gifts to me: Of gold - for crowning of an infant King; And frankincense - for raising prayers to him; And myrrh - portending burial and death. But would you bring me gifts like this today, And lavish me with costly offerings? I would instead you follow me and let Me show you where I make my dwelling place. See this naked child, starving in the sun Witness his ribs etched starkly on his skin See his swollen belly, and how his eyes Ignore the soft caresses of the flies. I am that child. Today I live in him. Each pain, each pang each gasp is also mine. I would have you bring not crowns of gold But food and water, simple gifts for a King For when you nourish him, you nourish me. And see the tramp who shivers by the door Frozen from the night spent on the streets. So will you offer up a prayer for him That floats to heaven on a