At Christmas

It’s easy to despair

as we think of the world 

this Christmas.

The conflicts that mark our age,

the beheadings  we can watch,

the myriad hatreds running  deep,

the millions dispossessed

 as a planet groans in pain.

And rightly we ask,

does the old tale hold against such odds?

That story of Light, of Love, of Hope –

is it still around?

“It’s there in the darkness”

says a tender voice.

For it’s where the stars don’t shine

that Love is present;

and even in the blood and tears

is the One who suffers and heals;

not somewhere else, but in our midst, 

as on the first Christmas morning.

                                Peter Millar, Edinburgh, Christmas 2014.  

                  (No copyright. Please feel free to share this short reflection.)