The Colours of Christmas

In the other half of the world

where December grows cold and icy,

the holly bush speaks of defiant life;

green and red

in the midst of winter’s white death.

The colours of Christmas.

Green for life and growth,

red for life and blood,

white for the hope that the darkness will end.

The colours of God’s surprising journey

among us humans, touching hearts

and minds with the generous red,

gracious green,

and merciful white; promises of hope,

intimations of joy,

and the blessings of peace.

Continue, Lord,

your strange journey

through human strife and struggles,

to colour our lives with the reds, the greens

and the white of your coming.

Meanwhile, in this half of the world,

where December grows hot and steamy

and the light is bleaching bright,

the flowering gum in my nature-strip

bursts exultantly into green and red;

the colours of Christmas.

© Ken Rookes