Today's poem is How to Paint a Perfect Christmas by the Czech poet and immunologist Miroslav Holeb.  The poem has been tweaked many times in translation, and I am not sure which is the definitive version.  It may be found here.

The photo is of the festive lights in George Square, Glasgow, which I took at about 8 a.m. on a Monday morning during Level 4 restrictions.  The beauty is self-evident, the knowledge of when it was taken perhaps a little poignant.  How we would describe this Christmas?

The prayer...

God holiness, of magnificence, of awe and wonder

Where did we get this craving for perfection,

This desire to do the best, have the best, be the best?

Show us what perfection means for you:

A new-born, firmly wrapped up for warmth, sleeping in the hay,

Calm amidst the messiness of human imperfection

Transforming it with love, filling it with peace.

Amen