Guestpost: If Christ Were Born In Harrisonburg

Learned scholars, oppressed agricultural workers,
rich and poor, stranger and neighbor, young and old
alike celebrated the coming.

Adam Shank wrote and shared this when he was worship leader at Shalom Mennonite a year ago. Adam was born in Harrisonburg and he and his wife spent 3 years serving with MCC in Nicaragua. He is the Home-School Liaison at Smithland Elementary School, which puts him in contact with parents from diverse backgrounds.

Christ was born today in Harrisonburg

His light can be seen shining from the 
mansions of Harmony Heights,

To the apartments on Norwood.

Jose and Maria were picking apples one county over,

But Maria was too pregnant for the trip home,

When harvest ended in October.

Now doubled up with Maria’s cousin Elizabeth,

She delivers unto us,

The world’s greatest gift.

A wail and a cry comes out of the dark

Of lot 103, 

Spotswood trailer park.

The cry is a herald, calling for unity,

And organically it happens,

As people bring gifts for the new family.

From Holly Court the Eritreans offer loads of injera bread

While the Iraqis bring pita

In case they prefer that instead.

Baklava from Kurdish neighbors on Mosby had everyone gawkin’

Which paired perfectly with the cafecito

Brought by Salvadoreños living on Hawkins.

Mennonites from Park View plugged in their crock pots

And with the little coordination

Kept Mexican sopa de res piping hot.

Then there was the group of African Americans living over by Simms,

Who lifted up their glad voices 

And sang gospels and spiritual hymns.

The Puerto Ricans from Harris Gardens not to be outdone,

Brought heaps of arroz con gandules,

Enough for everyone.

Chinese, Russian, Somali, people from the Valley,

The crowd grew so large,

We couldn’t keep our tally.

As the gifts were given the good news we began to tell

Of the Savior born to La Maria

Living behind the Taco Bell.

With God dwelling among us we all began to see

That light of Christ, that image of God

In every person, in our own humanity.

In that moment you could feel change was just around the bend,

For this new babe would truly help us 
Make America Great Again.