The I-lights of the Season

I am always pleasantly surprised at the cards and messages of Christmas, not to mention a little guilty at times. We have received notes from folk on every pastoral charge served through the years, including one from a friend who is now in midlife, has a family, and is a United Church minister. She was in our youth group in our early days in Newfoundland --actually a tween! The years do fly by.

Another was from a woman I met at the beginning of my ministry in Sudbury. When I first saw her she tearfully told me she had just received a bleak medical diagnosis and the estimate of two to five years to live. That was twenty three years ago.

I also heard from a couple of seminary classmates from days of yore, including long-time friend, photographer, poet, Norm Edson. He wrote this poem earlier this month. It is I-catching, and he has given me permission to share it with you.

iLight

if, tomorrow the Man from Nazareth

were to come a Second Time

would I even notice?

would my iPod, iPhone, iPad lights

reflecting my I back to me

blind me to his I-giving light?

would my I's be so dazzled

as to not recognize

his We-- his Us--

his One for the Good of All?

A Merry, Christ-filled Christmas to you all!