Saturday, December 22, 2012

Hands and Feet of the Savior: My Christmas Poem 2012

I thought a while about whether to include my Christmas poem from this year yet.  My last set of cards just went out today, the 22nd, so some people I send to haven't seen it yet.  But Christmas is in 3 days, so there's not an awful lot of time.
     This year, I focused on Jesus' Hands and Feet, from the manger to the ministry, from His death to His resurrection and beyond.  I hope whoever reads it not only enjoys it, but gets some meaning out of it.


Hands and Feet of the Savior
His Feet were kicking, His Toes wriggling, as Joseph tickled His Soles
These Feet that would walk on water and be torn by gruesome holes
His tiny Hand grasped a finger of His Blessed Mother Mary
This Hand that would one day cure the infirm, and burden a cross to carry
  
These same Feet would take Jesus throughout the Middle East
And into the Judean desert to be tempted by the beast
They’d wade into the Jordan River; John anointed Him there
And twice they were washed with a woman’s tears, adoringly dried with her hair
  
They crouched in Gethsemane; He prayed the cup be taken from His hand
Then through the dirt and nailed to a cross, caked with blood and sand
And yet His death, by God’s design, should not be counted as loss
For these are the Feet we fall before as we kneel at the foot of the cross


The strong Hands of Jesus were calloused as He learned the carpentry trade
They calmed a storm, and saved Peter’s life, when he was sore afraid
His hands held sacred scrolls He taught from, and children so guiltless and sweet
They summoned His disciples, and later washed their feet

They healed the sick, the blind, the lame, and even brought back the dead
And revealed who was His betrayer:  The one with whom He dipped bread
His Hands endured being tied and bound, yet still with a noble grace
And lifeless, lifted by His mother, to touch her tear-stained face 

And then these once still Hands would roll away a mighty stone!
And He showed all those who doubted Him they were made of flesh and bone
His Wonderful Hands and Glorious Feet now reign in Heaven above
The same Hands that will one day welcome us Home with Friendship, Warmth, and Love!


Let them welcome you this Christmas!
       - Gary Van Buren
              Christmas 2012

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