The First Christmas Gifts

Mary’s Gift

Wise men
and shepherds knew
the reason for His birth
they brought Him love’s symbolic gifts
in hues

to light
cold winter nights.
Gold, frankincense, and myrrh
proclaimed Him king, God, sacrifice -
the sheep

upon
the alter slain.
Did Mary see the cross
that Christmas she gave birth, when myrrh
was placed

beside
his manger crib?
Did she hear Christmas hymns
when she picked up the frankincense,
inhaled

its scent?
Did she thank God
for the gold when Joseph
took her and the Child to Egypt’s
safety?

Pure hearts
the gifts shepherds
brought that Christmas night when
angels songs declared faith and love’s
rebirth.

Joseph’s Gift

He raised the Child as his own,
arranged the briss and took both
the mother and the Baby
safely to Egypt.

He did not complain because,
he left behind a business
and a house in Nazareth;
he chose sacrifice.