Return to the Cross

To understand, the real weight
the gravity of his act, we must return
As we return to Bethlehem,
as we kneel at the manger bed.

We travel, we journey,
our face, with his, set on Jerusalem,
We return to the cross
to his suffering, to his sacrifice

Each Lenten season a pilgrimage
from our comfort, our day to day
Walking beside our savior,
journeying with him, as they did

The first disciples, not fully comprehending
needing too this reminder
these days of reflection
preparing us, our lives to him
as we return to the cross.


March 15, 2009
on posting the poem, “Return to Bethlehem”,
to christianpoetry.org today
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Return to Bethlehem

We must return, to Nazareth, to Bethlehem
to the river, the Jordan
to the time of the Christ, with us
before his birth, hopeful, waiting
wondering when the Messiah will come
when the prophecy of old will be fulfilled

Each year, Adventide
journeying with Mary, with Joseph
following His star, traveling far
leaving our fields, listening to the angels

Returning to Bethlehem
to fall to our knees
at his manger bed

December 12 and 13, 2008