Hungry and Full

No one made room for him,
save the one who yelled,
amidst hay and manure,
blood and smells.
And she prepared nothing,
except to accept–
turns out was enough,
she opened herself.

The womb that bore him
and the heart that said yes
were filled with a Savior,
to rule and to bless.

“Prepare the way,” calls John,
“Make a clear path.
The road that you’re on
is leading to wrath.
Throw out stumbling blocks–
your money, your greed.
Your treats and your treasures
can’t fill up your need.”

“Prepare him room,” we sing,
as if we can tidy
what we shove in our souls
that feeds our denying.

Preparing him room
isn’t about lights-and-greens.
It’s opening the door
and letting him in–
not minding the mess
(he certainly won’t)–
his delight to come in
and fill up our souls.

Unless we’re hungry,
we won’t want this meal.
Unless we’re empty,
we cannot be filled.

He is the feast–
his body the meal,
his blood the wine.
Eat and be healed.
Put down what competes,
enter into your soul,
throw open the doors,
let him in, be made whole.

A puzzle worth puzzling:
how the hungry he fills,
but the full are left hungry
though full of their ills.

At Christmas, and daily,
give us hearts that make room.
We long for you, God,
near dead in our tombs.
Break our chains, Lord Jesus,
come quickly and bless.
Call our names! Fill us up!
Fix all of our mess!

“He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty,” Luke 1:53.

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Hymn quote from Joy to the World by G. F. Handel and Isaac Watts

Inspiration from…

“…a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord. Make straight paths for him.'” Mark 1:3

“Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.” Psalm 85:13

“Elisha said, ‘Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few.'” 2 Kings 4:3

“‘ The Teacher asks, ‘Where is my guest room where I can eat the Passover with my disciples? He will show you a spacious…room, swept and ready. Prepare the meal there.'” Luke 22:11 The Message

“If anyone won’t love the Master, throw him out! Make room for the Master!” 1 Corinthians 16:22 The Message

“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person and they with me.” Revelation 3:19-20.

“Hungry and Full” was first posted on December 13, 2019.