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Manger Scene
It's Christmas time again, with many manger scenes,
Both shepherds poor and wise men who were of wealthy means.
The cattle are all fat and the donkey is well fed.
And little baby Jesus has a halo 'round his head.
Everything is spotless, and Mary's clothes so clean.
It looks like they just came from a laundromat machine.
The scene is oh so cozy, with admirers gathered there.
The smells of Christmas trees and hay are in the air.
On Joseph's face a smile, their future bright and clear.
The wise men's gold to pay their tax and Christmas tunes to hear.
For God would pick a perfect place for the birth of his one son,
An atmosphere of joy and people having fun.
The manger scenes we like to buy and view with such delight,
May not be very accurate of what happened late that night.
History says that Mary at the most was just thirteen.
So there were really two babes at that early manger scene.
The inn where they sought shelter, at least as we are told,
Was a bunch of empty stalls, uncomfortable and cold
But even this stark shelter was denied to Jesus' mother,
All filled with early travelers, they'd have to seek some other.
No way to phone for reservations and surely late at night.
With all the inns already filled, regardless of their plight.
A donkey was her limousine the day that she gave birth,
No beds with sheets and blankets, just straw to cover earth.
They finally found a shelter, some say a cold dank cave,
A place for feeding cattle, with rats and mice to brave.
Some think the birth was easy, God could have made it so,
And given an advantage that others didn't know.
We know she had no doctor, and probably no midwife.
Had Joseph birthed a baby? Not once in his whole life.
So now you get the picture, it was no pretty sight.
Our savior born into the dark, with no electric light.
And when at last the baby came, no time to count his toes.
He was cleaned as best they could and wrapped in swaddling clothes. No friends to gather 'round, no one to send her flowers,
No parents to show love and of course no baby showers.
He wore no paper diapers as a modern baby would.
No way to wash his clothing, so he didn't smell so good.
The shepherds gathered 'round were sure a smelly lot,
As they crowded close to Mary, to see the tiny tot.
The wise men with their gifts would not show up for years,
But Mary had one special gift, she had the angels' cheers.
She had no time for rest, to sleep late or relax.
They had to get up early to pay their income tax.
So Jesus, used to splendor unrivaled here on earth,
Was cast out in an instant, to such a lowly birth.
Now when you see the manger scene spread out beneath your tree,
Just think about the sacrifice He made for you and me.
by R. Wayne Edwards December 1997
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