Why nativity figurines should wear masks this year

Their governor said, “Pay your tax!”
Our governor says, “Wear your masks!”
The Holy Family (just like us)
were people of their day.

Both Joe and Mary were confined
by regulations of the time.
There were no halos on their heads.
They were like you and me.

And that’s what makes the “Good News” good.
The baby born midst hay and wood
came to a world of average Joes
to demonstrate God’s love.

In Jesus’ parents I see me.
Just as I am (without one plea)
except a prayer to trust God’s plan
when prone to fear and stress.

It’s helps to know they understand
when I draw near my “Bethlehem”
without a room and most inclined
to question what to do.

That average Joe who paid his tax
and those like me who wear a mask
have much in common. We are they
for whom the Savior came.

Longing for a full house instead of playing solitaire

A December to remember?
Given the cards COVID has dealt us,
I’m guessing the odds are pretty good
we won’t easily forget this month
(or this year for that matter).

Feeling rummy (even without gin)
we need something to bridge the gap.
Even when we have Trump,
we find ourselves Biden time.

Our mandatory masks
have covered our poker faces
in an effort to reduce the gamble of infection.
I’m tired of playing solitaire, aren’t you?

I’m ready to cash it in.
At least that’s the way I feel
most of the time.
But when the chips are down,
I find the means to see you
and raise your hopes.
A full house may be closer than you think.

What this season of COVID has birthed within us

Nine months to ponder.
A pregnancy of sort.
God-with-us grew within us in this time.
He kicked and we responded.
Faith developed. Hope took shape
in the poetry of Life that didn’t rhyme.

In this season of gestation,
what’s been born was birthed by pain.
Yet the pangs of COVID have not been in vain.
Midst the trials, there’ve been blessings.
In the challenges, good change.
And though there’ve been some losses,
we’ve had gains.

The year COVID came to dinner

Pass the yams and pass the turkey.
Pass the iPad if you will.
I want to Facetime with my fam-i-ly.
Though quarantined from loved ones,
I am grateful we’re not sick
and I’m thanking God we have technology.

This Thanksgiving I am thankful
for the protocols in place
that are helping curb the COVID’s appetite.
For this guest no one invited
has devoured happy times
and has set its sights on big and little bites.

I am hoping this rude houseguest
gets the message and departs.
It’s wreaked havoc and much heartache heretofore.
COVID has no right to be here.
God in Heaven, please take charge.
Would you kindly show this enemy the door?

Prescription for a pandemic

Our Governor says “Lockdown!”
but our Father says “Look up!”
Let’s cast our cares on One who knows our plight.
The fears surrounding COVID
can have crippling effects
and find us grasping straws with knuckles white.

Looking up admits we’re helpless,
but it also signals hope.
When we fix our gaze above we know God knows.
Spoken words are not essential.
Silent glances do the trick.
Faith that’s channeled in the quiet grows and grows.

Let’s look up and focus clearly
on the One who’s in control
as we take our eyes off headlines that distract.
God, who sees into the future,
is worth trusting all the time.
Night and day He has perspective that we lack.