Last night
Paul and I went to Exposition
at Hannahstown.

Up on the altar,
beside flickering candles,
the Blessed Sacrament was exposed.
In front of the altar,
beside flickering candles,
a simple crib was on display;
Mary and Joseph,
shepherds and sheep
all stood around
the Baby Jesus.
And from various window sills
around the chapel
three Wise Men journeyed
towards the Christ Child.

My eyes kept being drawn
to the tiny Baby Jesus
and I could sense My God urging me,
“Claire,
this is my beloved son.
Keep Him right at the centre
of your life.
Remember the miracle
of this Christmas scene,
this miracle of my love
and don’t let yourself get distracted!”

And in the soft light and silence
of a cold winter’s evening,
Almighty God gently sat
beside Paul and me
as I knelt in prayer,
fascinated by a simple crib
at Hannahstown.

© Claire Murray