18 Days of Christmas - The Fourth Day

From now until Christmas day I am treating you to foisting upon you our collection of Christmas poems. If I made our cards that year I'll post a picture of that as well. If you missed yesterday's poem, click on the 18 Days of Christmas button in my sidebar. The way you can tell who wrote which poem is to note whose name is listed first at the end.

Oh come, oh come, Emanuel,
Ransom my captive heart.

I look for you in the lights.
I see Santas and Reindeer,
Snowmen and Tin Soldiers,
Crosses and Stars and X-mas trees;
Glowing white Mother and Child
Ringed by plastic wise men.
I cannot see you in the garish glare.

Oh come, oh come, Emanuel,
Pitch your tent within me.

I listen for you in the sounds.
I hear Carols and Classics,
Ancient noels and Santa songs,
Pop and Country and Celtic crooners;
Straining has-been voices
Sing old standards of the season.
I cannot hear you in the brassy blare.

Oh come, oh come, Emanuel,
My soul thirsts for you.

And yet I feel you in my voice
As I take up the old familiar lay.
And yet I feel you in my hands—
Shoe boxes bound for Bosnia’s broken children.
And yet I feel you in my heart—
Amazed at my own good fortune.
And so I feel you, with me.

Oh come, oh come, Emanuel,
Fill me with your glad Noel,
That I may sing anew your song:

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emanuel
has come to you (and me)!

Mike & Dana Rhyne
Christmas, 1995