We Might Hug & Kiss The Infant, But... Poem by Varghese J Kuttikat

What tempted Thou, O Jesus
To assume human shape and essence
the One beyond temptation, the One guileless?
What is more sinful than to smother innocence?
Did Thou come down to take upon Thyself
All our sins, in the guise of the Lamb, as ransom
And guarantee our bliss, if we practise forgiveness?
But Thou made our burden of sins grievous
More burdensome, we having betrayed the One blameless
In the agony of crucifixion at its sharpest
Thou let out the cry desperate; "O Father, why hast Thou forsaken me? "
See, O sweet Jesus, there are humans feeling utterly let down
And, that too, millions and millions of them, O Love Incarnate!
Yet thy last syllables beautifully redeemed it all:
"Everything has been fulfilled", of course, confident, radiant
We bow down before Thee, O Jesus of Bethlehem
Humanity is thrice blessed, as Thou chose to be a human
Thy hallowed birth set a Crown glorious and eternal
Out of Thy bounty, upon us, that we shall aspire heavenward
In our vanity, we might hug and kiss the Infant, but shrink away from Calvary