Christmas 2000

The light was just a flicker
in a manger in a barn,
like a firefly on a June night:
now you see it, now it's gone.

At first it grew so slowly,
an immeasurable amount.
It seemed, despite its goodness,
that the light would soon go out.

Angels sang a ghostly chorus,
wise men came that holy night,
lowly shepherds peered in wonder,
then stayed to fan the light.

Holy God in all His mercy
saw the world in sin and lost,
raised His hand, the light protected,
said, "My Son will pay the cost."

The the light burned stronger, brighter,
like a sunrise on the sea.
Its brilliance did not falter
when He died on Calvery's tree.

Now, the temple veil is broken.
Now, the road to Heaven paved.
Simple Man's no longer helpless.
Simple Man might now be saved.

Out in a foreign bushland
or in a swampy quay
sinners grope through total darkness
without knowing another way.

Will you stir yourself to help Him?
Will you take the torch to them?
It's the light of man's salvation
that began in Bethlehem. 

~ Jim Parker, written January 2000

Norma sent this poem out with the following note:  "Dear family and friends, Just before Jim's death, he wrote this Christmas poem for our holiday greeting for the year 2000.  We hope you will have a blessed Christmas."