Geri McClymont loves how poetry enables us to express thoughts and emotions with greater ease.
Image courtesy Pixabay CCO
Christmas is, and always has been, my favorite time of the year. The joyous Christmas tunes and festive holiday spirit always make me smile. Here in Colorado, we often have a snowfall in December, and the sight of the evergreen trees dusted with snow is truly a sight to behold.
I enjoy driving through the historic part of my town, where large wreaths decorate lampposts and white lights transform the streets into a magical wonderland. People scurry about from here to there in search for presents, bundled up in their winter coats, hats, and mittens.
And in the midst of all the holiday glitter and frenzy, I easily forget what Christmas really celebrates: the birth of Jesus, the baby born to die for us so that we might be saved through Him.
Image courtesy Pixabay CCO
I also forget the unglamorous way God sent us Jesus – as a helpless infant born to an unwed teenager, who gave birth in a stable on a cold winter night, because there was no room for her in the inn.
Jesus, You came to a world that didn’t deserve You.
We spat on You, ridiculed You, and in the end, we nailed You to a cross.
And even as we did this to You, You forgave us. And You turned to the criminals crucified beside you and spoke to them of Your kingdom.
But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."
— Luke 23:34a
We still don’t deserve You.
Yet there You are, always waiting for us to come to You, ready to receive us.
This is a poem I wrote about how easy it is to get so caught up in the holiday frenzy that we miss the real meaning of Christmas.
Savior Buried Beneath the Madness
It was early dawn
On Christmas morn
And underneath the tree
No gifts remained –
They’d all been claimed
By loved ones and by me.
We’d all been up
Since half past dusk
To seize our rightful treasures:
Boxes full of all the things
That give us so much pleasure.
And stockings, too, filled with stuff and fluff,
And more stuff, for good measure.
Torn wrappings, ribbons, packaging
Lay scattered ‘round the room.
And children played,
While adults swayed
And danced to Christmas tunes.
And in the midst of all the racket
On that early morn,
We all forgot that in the night
A baby had been born.
So no one saw
The baby boy
Buried ‘neath the clutter.
His hand reached out, invisible
To us, who thought we loved Him.
His muffled cries
Were unheard too
As He pleaded for our notice.
But we could not hear, nor see, nor feel
For our senses were distorted
By all the glitter, frenzy, noise
That filled our Christmas day.
And we just kept on unnoticing Him
Until at last He passed away.
The Savior still reaches His hand
To me, through all the madness.
This baby, born to die for me,
And to reverse my blindness.
He beckons still, His voice so mild,
If only I will hear it.
And offers yet
His gift to me
And asks if I’ll receive it.
© 2015 Geri McClymont
Comments
Audrey Hunt from Idyllwild Ca. on April 12, 2018:
What a beautiful poem you've created. Christmas, to me, is about our Savior, and renewing our relationship with him by working harder to follow his commandments. As you've pointed out, in your magnificent poem, he waits patiently for us to reach out to him in prayer and faith.
Geri McClymont (author) on December 31, 2017:
Thanks for your comments, Gloria. It's good to know others share my sentiments about Christmas.
Gloria Padrós de Henning on December 31, 2017:
Dear Geri,
I have read your poem. It's sadly true. I think about Christmas, as you do. You are a very clear and clever writer, and I loved the poem. Thanks for your testimony.
Geri McClymont (author) on December 22, 2015:
Thanks for reading, Vellur. I share your thoughts. It is often easier to not listen but I feel that the more we listen, the easier it becomes to hear His voice.
Nithya Venkat from Dubai on December 22, 2015:
Beautiful poem reminding us about the actual significance of Christmas. If we listen intently we will definitely hear His voice.
Geri McClymont (author) on December 15, 2015:
Thank you for your comment, Ms. Dora. Yes, the challenge is to listen over all the noise and busyness.
Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on December 15, 2015:
Beautiful Christmas message told in beautiful poetry. If we listen amid the hustle and bustle, we would hear Him. Thanks for helping us focus.
Geri McClymont (author) on December 15, 2015:
Thank you for your words, Ann. It is so easy to get caught up in all the frenzy and materialism bombarding us from all angles. I'm glad to hear you share the sentiments expressed in my poem.
Ann Carr from SW England on December 15, 2015:
This is a beautiful poem and has a most important message; I've looked around lately and thought that the meaning of Christmas has been forgotten in all the materialism. I't sad but true. Maybe the circle will start turning now as the truth filters through the madness - I hope!
The construction and rhythm of your words fit very nicely.
Ann
Geri McClymont (author) on December 15, 2015:
Thank you, Ruby, Jodah and RTalloni, for your comments. I'm glad the poem seems to convey what I tried to express. I will have to check out the book you mentioned, RTalloni, and thank you for the reference.
John Hansen from Gondwana Land on December 15, 2015:
This is a beautiful but also sad Christmas poem, Geri. Many of us have forgotten or no longer care about the true meaning of Christmas and the birth of our saviour. I love the creative and effective way you wrote this. Well done.
Ruby Jean Richert from Southern Illinois on December 15, 2015:
This is sad, yet full of truth. We've forgotten why we celebrate Christmas. Beautiful poetry.
RTalloni on December 15, 2015:
A thoughtful take on Christmas madness, a reminder to remember why He came to fulfill the promise (Isaiah 53:3-7), and a prompt to consider what came of His coming (John 10:10).
If you haven't read it The Inn Keeper by Piper, J. Piper, is a wonder-filled read for this season: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYUDgmH_PnQ
