The lass on the store check-out cries,

Pinging the goods on the rumbling belt –

The bread, and the wine, and the pies.

I watch, as I stand in the fidgety queue

As the lassie enlightens us all.

“The fuss and the noise, and the ruddy expense!

These prices go up! Never fall!”

Just to make her opinion quite clear:

“No! I’m not looking forward to Christmas!

It’s a horrible time of the year!”

I stand in a pool of reflection

In the queue on a cold winter’s day,

Grieving for stars, and for shepherds

And the wise men, still seeking the way

To the long-promised forecast of healing and hope:

A Bethlehem Bringer of peace,

Someone to herald a time when the conflicts

And jagged discrepancies cease,

Who, despite all the clatter and razzamatazz…

Is burning bright with Emmanuel’s light:

For her. For you. For me.

Jenny de Robeck, The Check-Out Girl.