The old woman of legend
was too busy sweeping
to go with the Magi
to Bethlehem.
Too busy then—later
she started to go,
but never could quite
catch up.
The legend says she wanders,
stopping with gifts
at every house
on the twelfth day
of Christmas,
to make up for missing
the one right One.
I’m not so sure
this spirit woman wanders
or tries to make up
for something she missed.
No Magi for her,
no one special star,
no one certain special holy baby
far away.
She knows the other truth,
that every child is holy,
and worthy of gifts,
perfect, and blessed;
the gift of life to life
from the mystery beyond
birth and death.
So toys and candy appear
in sneakers and wooden shoes
for all the holy children
who live in the places
where she is known.
By Mary Wellemeyer, interim minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Belfast, Maine. This poem appears in her 2005 meditation manual, Admire the Moon. Published by Skinner House, this book is available from the CLF library or through the UUA Bookstore or 1-800-215-9076
Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF), 25 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108-2823, U.S.
or
Phone: 617-948-6166; or for international callers, use 00-1-617-948-6166
Fax: 617-523-4123, or for international faxes, use 00-1-617-523-4123
