Words for Worship

Ministry Today

In that abbey,

many Christmases ago,

the dean went in

to check that all was well.

 

But then he noticed

a small boy

in ragged clothing

kneeling

at the crib.

 

So he stood silently

for a minute

in the huge building’s

winter gloom.

 

For he then heard that

the child was praying

the words –

please may I have

a wheel barrow

for Christmas.

 

The dean crept away

and made enquiries

about the boy.

 

And he found that

young though he was,

he was the man of the house.

 

As a result he was

badly needed of

a wheel barrow

to collect wood

to keep the fire going

for his mother

and their poor house.

 

The dean called together

some of the congregation

and told them of

the boy’s prayer.

 

Between them they

produced

a sturdy wheel barrow.

 

Not only that

but they filled it

with Christmas fare

and warm clothing

for the family

and left it outside

the boy’s door

on Christmas Eve.

 

Early Christmas day

the dean was in the cathedral

preparing

for the magnificent services

of the church’s most important day.

 

Suddenly in came the boy

scrubbed and tidy

and wheeling

his empty wheel barrow.

 

When he reached the crib

he stopped,  

gently picked up the doll

representing Jesus,

placed it in his wheelbarrow

and wheeled  it around

the cathedral.

 

And are you doing, young man?

Asked the dean

 

Well Mister, said the boy –

I asked Jesus for my wheelbarrow.

 

It’s only right that

he should have

the first ride in it.

 

 

Christmas in Abbey