Rembrandt van Rijn: The Angel Appearing to the Shepherds (1634)
Middlebury College
When History Repeats Itself
It was a terrifying time
Which we, by faith, now think sublime;
But then, a madman on the throne
Drove everyone away from home,
That everyone be taxed and counted;
But this, in point of fact, amounted
To terrorism by the high,
Who gave no choice but to comply.
Think, immigrants; think, refugees;
Think how all those of low degree
In every age are made to do
The bidding of a mighty few.
Think those who fear they'll be deported,
Their work, and fam'ly life now thwarted;
Think those from bombed out cities fleeing,
What kind of news would bring well-being?
Imagine they see in the flesh,
Perhaps in angels and a crèche,
Or maybe, solidarity
From those who bear Christ's guarantee
That he'll be with us all our days!
Then they, as well, might be amazed—
Like shepherds hearing angel choirs—
What real love from God requires.
Thus into angst and grief and fears
The God of every soul appears,
Yes, then, but also here, today,
And bids us live just as we pray.
Scott L. Barton
To Make Our Love Braver
She did something different,
She treasured and pondered;
Not only amazed, but
She thought, and she wondered
Just what was their meaning—
That this diapered wee boy,
Would be to all people
The sign of a great joy?
And why even now does
He cause such a flutter
In hearts all around, while
These carols we utter?
Is this what they meant when
They said that a savior
Would come—a Messiah,
To make our love braver?
Scott L. Barton
Solstice
"It's the big night!"
Is what my father used to say,
And then in June,
It was, "Tomorrow's the big day!"
—Thus, the solstice
Always arrives for me with mirth,
Which may be what
We need to hear about this birth
Announced each year!
The angel spoke with twinkling eyes,
—Thus cast out fear—
So they would laugh with great surprise!
Despite the dark,
This same news called to us this night
Begs to be told,
That Love might be our solstice light.
Scott L. Barton
They Thought It Was the Feds
Perhaps they thought it was the Feds who'd come for them!
Somehow, the N.S.A. had tracked, and would condemn
Those dirty shepherds, since they had not registered,
And since, without green cards, Augustus' wrath incurred!
But soon they found the searchlight not to be the law,
Which, with relief, provoked a different kind of awe;
That is, more powerful than all the "powers that be,"
Was then announced—as now—the holy mystery:
Quite openly, the one who saves comes not by strength
Of arm, but will not fail to go to any length
For love! Thus wrapped, so even shepherds might embrace
This child, we, too, now hold our breath, to see such grace.
Scott L. Barton
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
(The last poem was originally published by The Presbyterian Outlook, 12/9/13. All four poems are also in my newest book, Lectionary Poems, Year B: More Surprising Grace for Pulpit and Pew [Wipf and Stock, 2020], which you can get from me for a much reduced price. E-mail me at scott.l.barton("at" sign here)gmail.com.)
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