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Mike Bonikowsky reflects on Christ’s presence during difficult times, highlighting God’s closeness in moments of loneliness and grief. He explores the comfort found in vulnerability and shared suffering. The post offers a reminder of God’s companionship beyond the joyful celebrations.
This is the fifth and final poem in this series about Christmas, this Christmas. Through the framing device of the five Advent candles that mark the progression of the season in various Christian traditions, this series attempted to speak the truth about Christmas in congregant care, both to and from those experiencing it.
Merry Christmas all.
V. Christ.
When the home is dark and quiet
And all the lights have been unplugged
When the cheerful music ends and
We’re alone in the silent night.
Whom have we ever had but you?
Who came to be alone with us
Who came to sit and weep with us
In the winter after Christmas.
Our faith when church is cancelled
Our hope when we can’t find any
Our love when we are so lonely
Our peace, not as the world will give
There’s no candles in the group home
We can’t light one for you tonight
We don’t need to light a candle
When you’re within us burning bright.
About the Author:
Mike Bonikowsky:
Mike Bonikowsky lives and works in Dufferin County, Ontario. He is a direct support professional with the local Association for Community Living and spends the rest of his time raising two young children. He has been living and working with men and women with developmental disabilities since 2007. He is an editor for Ekstasis
Recent Posts:
Mike Bonikowsky reflects on Christ’s presence during difficult times, highlighting God’s closeness in moments of loneliness and grief. He explores the comfort found in vulnerability and shared suffering. The post offers a reminder of God’s companionship beyond the joyful celebrations.
This is the fifth and final poem in this series about Christmas, this Christmas. Through the framing device of the five Advent candles that mark the progression of the season in various Christian traditions, this series attempted to speak the truth about Christmas in congregant care, both to and from those experiencing it.
Merry Christmas all.
V. Christ.
When the home is dark and quiet
And all the lights have been unplugged
When the cheerful music ends and
We’re alone in the silent night.
Whom have we ever had but you?
Who came to be alone with us
Who came to sit and weep with us
In the winter after Christmas.
Our faith when church is cancelled
Our hope when we can’t find any
Our love when we are so lonely
Our peace, not as the world will give
There’s no candles in the group home
We can’t light one for you tonight
We don’t need to light a candle
When you’re within us burning bright.