Stumble on the stable

Why did Jesus get born at such a busy time of year?
He should have known
we would be distracted
by everything else that is going on.
Too busy to notice his arrival.

The town is full,
everyone come for the celebration
of a successful registration,
not yet allowed a vote,
but at least included, recognised as citizens.

And he would be pushed aside,
no room in the hotels,
or the inn,
or even the backpackers hostel.
Joseph should have booked ahead,
what did he expect,
he should have known what it would be like,
and what she is like,
typical to have the baby at the most awkward time
in the most awkward place.

So a stable round the back,
easy to miss, easy to pass by,
except for the donkeys
trying to get some sleep
after carrying their burdens into town.

To find it you need to look,
you need to search,
make a journey,
you can’t stumble on the stable.

It would take angelic guidance perhaps,
a voice in the sat nav,
rising to an insistent clamour which you try to ignore,
as the shepherds did:
dragged from their sheep
or their sleep in the night.

Or the wise men,
posher, so star nav for them,
fortune tellers,
tools of their trade to hand as they come
from the familiar east into the west.

All travel far from their comfort zone,
letting go of the past,
take hand luggage only, leaving baggage behind.

Travelling unfamiliar roads to distant places,
avoiding the distractions,
the false turnings,
the celebrations and the celebrities.
And there they find Jesus
was always there,
at the centre,
at the heart,
in their hearts.

© Peter G Ashby 2008