It’s Christmas morning
and we’re at Mass
to celebrate Jesus
coming into the world,
specially for us.

During Mass
my heart lifts when I see
the wee crib,
all lit-up with fairy lights
that sits up at the front
of our tiny basement chapel
and I sense
that I am welcoming Jesus
to Bethlehem
this Christmas morning.

Later on,
during the Consecration,
our priest blesses bread and wine
and, as he raises on high
the body and blood
of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
I welcome Jesus
into our tiny basement chapel.

There’s just something
so special
about welcoming Jesus
into the stable in Bethlehem
and into our wee, tiny chapel
in Belfast.

And as I kneel in prayer
after receiving Our Lord
I feel truly blessed.

© Claire Murray, Christmas 2023