“A Child Would Know” by Leddy Hammock“How would you know?” a child was asked, “If while you were at play,
With several children, new to you, you heard a whisper say:
‘One of these is the Holy child, the Christ Child, come again,
To see if you would recognize your wise and gentle Friend–
Who might appear as boy or girl, with unexpected looks,
With hair and skin and clothes unlike the Christ Child seen in books.’
The child was still a moment, then looked up and smiled to say:
“Of course I’d know the Holy Child. I’d know that right away.
The way that Child treats others, taking turns and playing fair;
The way the Child is kind and good–I’d know that anywhere.
The way the Child would make me feel–I’d be so glad to show
The Christ Child on the playground–someone any child would know.”
Responsive Reading for December 24
Mindful of Tamar, Disciple Andrew, and the Tribe of Reuben, we light the 1st candle for the power of STRENGTH.
All: I AM PATIENT AND STRONG, LETTING SPIRIT WORK!
Mindful of Rahab, the Disciple Mathias, and the Tribe of Benjamin, we light the 2nd candle for the power of LIFE.
All: I AM MADE NEW by the FORGIVING LIFE OF SPIRIT!
Mindful of Ruth, the Disciple Simon the Zealot, and the Tribe of Asher, we light the 3rd candle for the power of ZEAL.
All: I AM CHARGED WITH STEADFAST ZEAL AND ENTHUSIASM.
Mindful of Bathsheba, the Disciple Thaddeus, and the Tribe of Zebulon, we light the 4th candle for the power of RELEASE.
All: I AM PEACEFUL & FREE; I LET GO & LET GOD.
Mindful of Mary of Nazareth, the Disciple John of Zebedee, and the Tribe of Levi, we light the 5th candle for the power of LOVE.
All: I AM UNCONDITIONAL LOVE IN EXPRESSION.
Mindful of Elizabeth, the Disciple Peter, and the Tribe of Issachar, we light the 6th candle for the power of FAITH.
All: I AM the PERCEIVING, BELIEVING POWER of MIND.
Mindful of Anna the Prophetess, the Disciple Bartholomew (Nathanael), and the Tribe of Joseph, we light the 7th candle for the power of IMAGINATION.
All: I AM THE IMAGING, INTUITIVE POWER OF MIND.
Mindful of Salome, mother of the Disciple James of Zebedee, & the Tribe of Dan, we light the 8th candle for the power of WISDOM.
All: I AM THE GUIDING POWER of WISE DISCERNMENT.
Mindful of Mary of Alphaeus, mother of Disciple James, and the Tribe of Gad, we light the 9th candle for the power of ORDER.
All: I AM THE HARMONIZING POWER OF DIVINE ORDER.
Mindful of Martha of Bethany, the Disciple Matthew and the Tribe of Napthali, we light the 10th candle for the power of WILL.
All: I AM OPEN AND OBEDIENT TO GOD’S WILL.
Mindful of Mary of Bethany, the Disciple Thomas and the Tribe of Simeon, we light the 11th candle for the power of UNDERSTANDING.
All: I AM a SEEKER for SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING.
Mindful of Mary Magdalene, the Disciple Philip, and the Tribe of Judah, we light the 12th candle for spiritual POWER.
All: I AM GOD’S POWERFUL WORD IN EXPRESSION.