A Christmas Carol

Out of darkness into light
flies the Doubting Thomas bird,
what is hid is only might
What is might's a mite absurd.

Out of winter into spring
wing the cries of infant king,
hope and passion both they bring:-
let the bells of heaven ring!

So much hidden, so much light,
so much wrong and so much right,
earth is in a parlous plight:-
sing your carols through the night!

Sing the darkness from the earth,
we who never thought to see
now confront a peerless birth
in the light of mystery.

Need and want go hand in hand -
they did so in the stable -
read the symbols in the sand,
then gather round the table.

Ox and ass and magi there -
nothing by its birth is banned,
creatures both of faith and flair:
nothing outlawed out of hand.

Out of fable, truth to tell,
each man shapes it as he grows,
finds his personal Noel,
his own demons to depose.

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Here's to a wonderful Christmas
and all the blessings of the season to you all.
May your God or proxy-god be kind to you.