Everything is poised, ready and waiting
Gabriel has delivered
Mary has said ‘Yes’
Joseph has come round
and the divorce is off

Everything is poised, ready and waiting
Caesar Augustus has issued his decree
Civil servants are geared up for the Census
Travel arrangements have been made
and accommodation is at a premium

Everything is poised, ready and waiting
shepherds watch
astrologers gaze
angels clear their throats
the world turns

Everything is poised, ready and waiting
as with no room at the inn
a homeless God is born
Divinity starts out as a refugee
and straw becomes a royal bed

Everything is poised, ready and waiting
as wise men bring gifts
Mary ponders,
Herod plots
and Joseph dreams

Everything is poised, ready and waiting
as children count sleeps
Omicron spirals
parties are cancelled
and families re-group

Everything is poised, ready and waiting
as God threatens
to overcome the darkness with light
to eclipse two years of despair with hope
to outdo the statistics of death with life

Everything is poised,
everything is ready
and everything is waiting
as Emmanuel
– God-with-us –
promises to save us
yes, even this year
yes, even this year.

(Michael Paterson)