God is in the detail

God is in the detail:

The twist of a ribbon on gifts, large to smallest

The clove-studded orangey warmth of mulled wine

The baubles, and tinsel, the marzipan-and-icing

The moss, pine and ivy entwined at the threshold

The pigs wrapped in blankets and cranberry sauce

The lights behind windows, welcoming home.

God is in the detail:

Mince pie for Santa and carrot for Rudolph

The carols and jingles and sleighbells and church bells

The tea-towels and glitter of children’s nativities

The waxy-skinned fruit as the stocking’s last treasure

The cards signed in haste lest someone gets forgotten

The wine drunk at midnight, to welcome the Day.

God is in the detail:

The planetary alignment that signalled his coming

The girl that said yes, even though that cost dearly

The census that drove them from homeland to birthplace

The everyday farmhands, now startled from slumber

The gifts borne by kings, to foretell death and glory

The straw in the feeding trough, the rags torn to clothe him -

The light of creation, now welcomed to earth.

TAW December 2012