White Christmas Turning Red Poem by michael spangenberg

בימים ההם שליט אדיר הקיסר אוגוסטוס הוציא צו על עריכת מיפקד צריך להילקח של העולם הרומי כולו, וכולם הלכו עירם להירשם, לכן יוסף גם עלה מנצרת לבית לחם
בעיר דוד.

In those days mighty Ruler Caesar Augustus Issued a decree that a census should be taken of The entire Roman world, and everyone went to Their own town to register, so Joseph also went up from Nazareth to Bethlehem the town of David.

He went there to register with Mary, who was Expecting a child, the time came for the baby to Be born, and she gave birth to Jesus, wrapped Him in cloths and placed him in a disgraceful Manger - no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds keeping watch over Their flocks at night, angels appeared to them
The glory of the Lord shone around them, they Were terrified, but the angels said: Do not be Afraid, we bring good news - comfort and joy.

When the angels had left them and gone into Heaven, the shepherds found their Messiah, they Returned, spread the Word, glorified and praised God for the eternal light coming into the dark of Night they'd witnessed, just as they'd been told.

Then when Herod saw that he'd been tricked
He became very enraged, and all innocent Children, false postives living in Bethlehem
From two years old and under, were killed in Fulfillment of prophet Jeremiah words:

'A voice was heard in Ramah
Weeping and great mourning
Rachel weeping for her children
And she refused to be comforted
Because they were no more.'

The infant Jesus reminds us of Aleppo's children Not graced with parental love, devouring dignity Hiding underground to escape bombardment, on The concrete pavements of cities, at the bottom of A boat over-laden with unwelcome immigrants.

'Let us allow ourselves to be challenged by the Children who are not allowed to be born, by those Who cry because no one satiates their hunger, by Those who do have not toys in their hands, but Rather weapons, ' pope Francis said.

Humility, simplicity and mystery is the message
The son of God was born rejected and regarded With modern indifference, Christmas has become A consumer's feast where the true beneficiaries Are ourselves rather than the infant Christ.

The lights of commerce cast the light of God into The shadows, men has become concerned for, Obsessed with warm hearted gifts, but cold Toward those who are marginalised, the USA has Taken Christmas hostage - It is time for Jesus.

Footnote - Poem based on Luke 2: 1-21, Matthew 2: 16-18, and Pope Francis' Urbi et Orbi 2016.