building a house on rock

making a home

women
on their porches
putting out garland
lights
a wreath

women
in parking lots
rushing home with their treasures

homes
where such pride is taken
in what was just purchased from the dollar store
in what was just hauled up from the dark and dank basement
for the fiftieth year
and placed again upon the fake tree
the banister
the door

homes
where nary a hand is ever lifted
in the transformation from everyday to holiday
where designers sweep in
midas-ing gold to gold
built in elevators
fake floors part
and raise up the permanently set up tree

women wandering around stores
looking for something
else
something more
something perfect

  ...the men tend to know exactly what they are looking for
     they have a specific list given to them
     by a woman

shopping
wrapping
knitting socks
making candles
baking bread
back
over the centuries
making homes
ready
lovely
peaceful and prepared

for those coming home
remembering those who will not

back
to that first night of Christmas
a birth
not at home
no layette
no midwives
no woman at her side to hold her hand and breathe

was she ready
was he ready

what had they readied
in those months and days ahead

their hearts
that would soon be pierced?

yet ready or not
He came
to a woman
and
a man
in love

he, told
'she will never be yours'
you cannot have her
she, is the Lord's

and the baby too
He is not yours
He, is the Lord

the man believes
and stays
and cares and provides the best that he can
for a woman
a baby, a child
who belong to One other than himself


like every true parent

every true spouse

Do you not know 

that your bodies are temples 

of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, 

whom you have received from God? 

You are not your own;  

you were bought at a price. 

Therefore glorify God in your body

and in your spirit

which are God's

    1 Corinthians 6:19-20

I have been crucified with Christ;

it is no longer I who live, 

but Christ lives in me; 

and the life which I now live in the flesh 

I live by faith in the Son of God, 

who loved me and gave Himself for me.

    Galations 2:20

for my life is not my own
let alone the lives of those I love
even those I birthed into this world

those we have given home
and lead on their journey home