Some Child! A Poem for Christmas

Photo by Nathan Fertig on Unsplash

Dr. Walter Brueggemann offered this poem to the Church Anew community. May it nourish you and, if you choose, your community as well! Use it in worship, share it on social media, pray it as you celebrate the birth of this Child whose life and witness calls us to presence and sacrifice.

“‘What child is this who laid to rest on Mary’s lap is sleeping?”

We ask in awe and wonder.

But wait!

We know who this child is:

We know: this is the child who will grow in authority to cast out demons,

while we are beset by the demonic force of racism and nationalism.

We know: this is the child who will grow in capacity to feed the hungry multitudes,

while we casually permit children all around the world to die in starvation.

We know: this is the child who will grow in power to heal the sick,

while we are overrun with drug ads and quibble about deductions and co-payments.

We know: this is the child who will gain his life (and ours) by losing it.

This child, born to occupy center space in our lives, our energy, and our imagination,

is the one who will dwell among us, full of grace and truth.

We know his name; we receive him as gift; we answer to his call to obedience.

This child, in his authority, capacity, and power, is the way of God among us.

His governance shall have no end.

Walter Brueggemann, December 8, 2022

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