A Christmas Poem Remix
Eight years ago, my life looked VERY different than it does now. I was a single mom and missionary in a rural area of South Africa. I drove a bright red Condor through townships every day, discipling families and sharing life with them.
I found myself battling for joy during the Christmas season of 2013, determined not to let circumstances prevail, even though the hits kept coming. I wrote JOY with chalk on a big rock outside of the one-room cottage I shared with Lifa and was determined to keep it.
A poem I wrote about a strikingly juxtaposed Christmas Eve I had popped to mind this year and seemed strangely relevant to the reality the whole world has been in for the last two years. I wanted to remember it here with you today. Love you all!
Written December 24, 2013
‘Twas the day before Christmas, a perfect summer day,
We’d cooked, and we'd cleaned. We were ready to play.
The stockings were stuffed with sweeties and love,
With hopes of turning hearts to the gift from above.
We dressed all the children in their brightest and best,
Not knowing our joy would be put to the test.
I’d already written on the rock a bold proclamation,
Choosing God’s joy in all is the big revelation.
I pulled into Dwaleni and heard no children chatter,
I sprang from the Condor to see what was the matter.
Mama Charity came out to say Busi’s brother was sick,
Go to the hospital – and get there quick!
I made that too-familiar drive around that same big mountain,
Just in time to hear he was gone and receive Busi’s tears like a fountain.
I wrapped arms around her and started to pray,
And my heart sunk thinking, ‘Why did I write about joy today?’
While we talked to the Father who gave His own Son,
I knew in a moment we must not get undone.
More rapid than eagles, His peace surely came,
As we leaned, and we trusted, and we called on His Name.
“Now Father! Come quickly! Your children are crying!”
“Come joy! Come peace! Even while sick and while dying.”
From the words on that rock to the sorrow of our hearts,
Can you really come and bring holiness to all of these parts?
As Busi stayed to mourn, we brought her little one away,
Sweet girl will have Christmas and for her mom we will pray.
So back to the cottage, the Condor it flew –
Our hearts not quite shining as we wanted them to.
And then, like a whisper, I remembered what’s True,
I opened the Word and knew just what to do.
I gathered the mamas and cried as I read,
He’s dressed us for eternity; it’s what His Word said.
Cloaked in a garment of praise, not a spirit of despair,
He offers the robe of salvation; it’s been waiting right there.
A bundle of peace exchanged for the cross on his back,
In His eyes, He sees a Bride. There is nothing we lack.
His eyes- for His Beloved; He’s dressing Her to marry,
Will she put on Her crown, Her inheritance to carry?
We had to take action, respond to His outstretched hand,
Because this baby King brought access to our Promised Land.
We prayed for Busi’s family, and then we decided to choose joy.
To celebrate the coming of the life-saving baby boy.
We put smiles on our faces and gathered curious little eyes,
And pulled out the very most wonderful surprise!
It was time to play dress up, and we were keeping it real.
Adorning ourselves in delight, no matter how we feel.
Like a wink from our Healer as we put wigs on our heads,
We knew, come what may, we have nothing to dread.
His Word rang true, and we went straight to joy’s work,
Light filled all our hearts, left darkness no place to lurk.
We shared a great meal and remembered how love grows,
With hugs and with kisses, our spirits all rose.
I’ll always remember one thing from this Christmas Eve.
I’ll trust His higher ways; His path I won’t leave.
Every day from now on, I will command my soul to rejoice,
Because Christmas is about when True Love made a choice.
Merry Christmas with love from South Africa!
