A Christmas Poem: Do Not Fear – Roadkill Crossing Skip to content Roadkill Crossing Writing generated from the rural life A Christmas Poem: Do Not Fear “We live in fearsome times.” My father told me that when we uselessly practiced nuclear bomb drills by hiding under our school desks, when with trepidation I sat cross-legged on the floor in front of our black and white when JFK called the Russians’ bluff on Cuba, then when Dallas happened, and assassins shot Martin and Bobby, and cities burned, and a president resigned, and revolts occurred, and we always seemed to side with the bad guy, when we chided dictators for gassing people only to bomb the survivors in their mourning. “We live in fearsome times.” My grandfather told me that when he silently remembered his own gassing in the war to end all wars and died at the age that I am now coughing and coughing and coughing because there were no records that he was poisoned 100 years ago on the western front. “We live in fearsome times,” I tell my grandchildren in failed efforts to shield them from the constant volleys of lies and accusations and nonsense spewing forth into their innocent world by powerful people who lost their decency, compassion, and empathy long, long ago. “Have no fear,” I reassure them to ears deafened by headsets and screen time. Still, I think they get it all, the nonsense, the truth-telling, and the untruth-telling. That is my hope in this season of hope. On this darkest day of the year, the winter solstice, there is enough oil now to keep the candles burning. But we have to keep pressing on like those Hanukkah days of old. We must pour new wine into new wineskins, not old. We don’t want to waste the wine by bursting. We live in fearsome times. We must be patient in the season of waiting. We must choose clarity over certainty, though certainty it is that we too often choose, only to be disappointed, and blame circumstances and others for our wrong choices. Those in the Old and those in the New reported the same. Therefore, in this season of light, hope, peace, patience is the rule as “we live by faith, not by sight.” We live in fearsome times. This is the season of anticipation, joy, love, forgiveness, wonder, when blended, a recipe not to fear. We look for the brightest star to lead us forth, but stars are in heaven, not on earth. Behold the heavenly host is near. Do not fear. We live in fearsome times. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, not on our terms, but Yours and Yours alone. Our fragility and our insecurity overcome our logic, excite our emotions precisely opposite of what the good tidings proclaim, why the angels yet rejoice. They know the true Ruler is the Lamb, not the lion. We live in fearsome times. Humans always have, always will simply because we are human, unable or unwilling to listen, to hear, to comprehend the goodness, the freedom, the surety bestowed on us to bestow on others, especially during these dark days. We live in fearsome times. What will we do? How can we go on? Awareness is enough. “In the beginning was the word… The serpent was more crafty than any other… Everyone who thirsts… Sing aloud, O daughter Zion… Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah… In the sixth month… In those days a decree went out… In that region there were shepherds… And the Word became flesh… Fear not…” Hallelujah. © Bruce Stambaugh 2018 Share this: Email LinkedIn Tumblr Print Facebook More Pinterest Like this: Like Loading... Related Author: Bruce Stambaugh Writer, marketer, columnist, author, photographer, birder, walker, hiker, husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, township trustee, converted Anabaptist, community activist, my life is crammed with all things people and nature and wonder. My late father gave me this penchant for giving and getting the most out of life, my late mother the courtesy, kindness, and creativity to see the joy in life. They both taught me to cherish the people I am with. I try and fail and try again. View all posts by Bruce Stambaugh Author Bruce StambaughPosted on December 24, 2018 Categories Christmas, family, history, holidays, human interest, news, poem, poetry, writingTags Christmas poem, fearsome times, free verse, Hanukkah, hope, joy, Love, Messiah, New Testament, no fear, Old Testament, peace, scripture 11 thoughts on “A Christmas Poem: Do Not Fear” Streets of Nuremberg says: December 24, 2018 at 9:19 am Great post, Bruce! Wish you and your family a peaceful and joyous Christmas! Marcus LikeLiked by 1 person Bruce Stambaugh says: December 24, 2018 at 9:38 am Thank you, Marcus. The same to you and your family. Christmas Blessings, Bruce LikeLiked by 1 person Linda Meloy Schweikert says: December 24, 2018 at 9:51 am Well and truly put. Happy Christmas to you and your family, as we all hope for the best in 2019. LikeLiked by 1 person Bruce Stambaugh says: December 24, 2018 at 11:14 am Thank you so much, Linda. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and Skip. Bruce LikeLike Dynna Nemeskal says: December 24, 2018 at 11:35 am Thank you, Bruce for this lovely post. Your words are true and our hope is in the One whose birthday we celebrate. Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year to you and your family. LikeLiked by 1 person Bruce Stambaugh says: December 24, 2018 at 11:45 am Thank you so much, Dynna. I wish the same for you and your family. Bruce LikeLike marlandphotos says: December 24, 2018 at 8:17 pm Hallelujah!!! Merry Christmas! LikeLiked by 1 person Gail B says: December 25, 2018 at 7:36 am Thank you Bruce..truthful, honest and heartwarming as with all of your posts. Hoping for peace and honesty in the year ahead. Merry Christmas from our family to yours. Gail LikeLiked by 1 person Bruce Stambaugh says: December 25, 2018 at 8:22 am Thank you, Gail. Merry Christmas to you and Don and your family. Bruce LikeLike goodlistener101 says: December 29, 2018 at 12:56 pm A very thought provoking article, without a hope we will surely perish ! Norma LikeLiked by 1 person Bruce Stambaugh says: December 29, 2018 at 1:46 pm Thanks, Norma. Happy New Year! Bruce LikeLike Comments are closed. 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Email Address: Sign me up! Join 1,488 other followers © Bruce Stambaugh and Roadkill Crossing 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material and photographs without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Bruce Stambaugh and Roadkill Crossing with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Bruce Stambaugh Writer, marketer, columnist, author, photographer, birder, walker, hiker, husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, township trustee, converted Anabaptist, community activist, my life is crammed with all things people and nature and wonder. My late father gave me this penchant for giving and getting the most out of life, my late mother the courtesy, kindness, and creativity to see the joy in life. They both taught me to cherish the people I am with. I try and fail and try again. 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