Leaving the manger

Leaving the manger

by Joel Howard

Christ is there

So beware

Leaving the manger

Comes as a temptation

Fleeing the humble

Stumbling, we stumble

Right into trouble

When we would double

The portion he gave us

The place where he laid us

Planted and rooted us

There he has us

Leaving the manger

Comes with its dangers

So beware

If Christ is here

What is out there?

Though 8 billion people

Should issue an appeal

"Come! Spend the night!"

You should be afright

That fright would be right

For to leave the humble here

For the world out there

To leave for the better

The richer, the safer

The battle-ridden places

Is where God's face is

Mary and Joseph

Knelt - didn't know much

Just that "he told us"

That faith, came as a compass

Leaving the manger

We leave what is birthed there

Tending to weakness

Impressiveless - weakness

Richless - weakness

Popularless - weakness

Homeliness? Yes

Stick-to-it-ness? Yes

Thankfulness? Yes

Stay in the manger

John the Baptist did it

Mary and Joseph did it

Imperfect? Yes

Quick to submit? Yes

Jesus got big? Yes

Remember the danger

Of leaving this manger

Leaving your manger

This Christmas, go there