These Are My JOTtings, Part #2

Nativity Retreat

To find the place of blessed rest
I need to seek the manger bed.
He came to live and die as blest,
then raise in Hope up from the dead.

The manger in a cave with straw
was where they laid Him from His Birth.
The animals He smelled and saw
were made by Him of lasting worth.

Retreats we need in Him to be
our time away in lasting peace.
We carry life so full and free.
He bought us this great release.

They laid Him in the weekend cave
when Death received His given breath
for Sin would never find Him, slave,
nor would His tomb be decked of heath.

The bookends of His earthly days
are marvelous to contemplate.
two caves observed His swaddled lays,
two crosses watched His Presence great.

O, bless His sweet Nativity,
and rest within, so full and free.
we are the chosen He has bought,
and daily we are lovely taught.

Retreat we find in His dark cave,
and Hope He gives to those He saves,
for Bethlehem in Christ, we find
the rest we need Fore'er and Time.

by Jay O’Toole
on September 17th, 2021