Here we are
Caught holding the baby
Wanting to leave Christmas “up” all year
Reveling in the twinkling lights and joyful songs
Keeping Jesus as a sleeping baby wrapped in swaddling clothes

Here we are
Stuck holding the baby
Facing the messy reality behind the sparkle
Yearning for something greater than a baby packed away
Wishing ourselves to Easter when we can, again, let Jesus out

Here we are
Left holding the baby
Wondering what comes next
Questioning our role in this ancient tale
Struggling to transform it into more than a child’s story

Here we are
Still holding the baby
Allowing ourselves to be changed
Stepping into a growing understanding
Adding ourselves, our stories, to the incomplete narrative