The Virgin and the Carpenter
Across the heavens an angel races to Nazareth
to give vision to a Virgin;
to disturb the dreams of a Carpenter
“All things are possible with God,”
he informs the Virgin.
And sweeter than the song of an angel is
the Virgin’s response: “Let it Be,”
her “yes” - a constant refrain she will sing throughout her life.
“Do not be afraid” he reassures the Dreamer.
And the Carpenter’s silent assent rises to God like burning incense,
for reality has become greater than his dreams.
The two become Bethlehem bound,
led not by the light of a star,
nor by the song of an angel,
but only by their intense dedication to the will of God.
And it is to the shabbiest of dwellings,
the most sacred of sanctuaries,
that they are led.
But it is a place where miracles occur.
A place where
a plan is accomplished,
a promise is kept,
a prophesy is fulfilled,
and hope is born.
A place where
the longings of generations come to fruition,
and the dreams of countless believers become reality.
It is a place where
a faith-filled Virgin becomes a faithful Mother
and one who is righteous becomes a Father of the heart.
The Virgin finds her place in the stable;
it is next to her Son:
always present,
always supporting,
always affirming,
always cooperating.
And the one who dreams dreams finds his place there, too.
It is in the shadows:
forever protecting,
forever offering quiet strength,
forever submissive to the will of God,
forever guiding all who come upon the stable to Jesus and Mary.
Soft Virgin voice sings.
Tender Virgin lips kiss.
Warm Virgin hugs envelop and embrace.
Strong carpenter hands caress.
Gentle carpenter touch calms.
Reassuring carpenter arms rock baby to sleep.
Before angels give their gift of song,
before kings present their gold, frankincense and myrrh,
before shepherds kneel and offer their praise;
there in the solitude of the stable,
the Virgin and the Carpenter offer the first gift,
the greatest gift:
the gift of their love.
Advent is our time to decide,
our time to make ready
the gifts we will bring to the stable in Bethlehem.
This Christmas, as we come to the stable
and bow our head
and bend our knee,
what gift will we offer?
If we offer only gold, frankincense and myrrh like the Kings,
will our gift look beautiful but fade and dissipate over time?
If we offer only wonder like the shepherds,
will our praise ultimately diminish to mere lip service?
Or will we offer the gift of Virgin and the Carpenter?
For the gift of love was the first and best of all Christmas gifts.
It is nothing less than the total gift of self.
It is the only one that is truly worth giving.
Because,
after all,
that is the gift
He gave to us.
