Jakob

Jakob
Copyright 1996 - Susie Whiting

His name was Jakob, forever crippled he'd been,
the son of a widow who worked in the inn.
As darkenss crept in, the roof would his bed keep
and the heavens would hear as he fell off to sleep.

"If it be not much trouble, it would bring me much joy,
if you could just make me a normal boy."

"Jakob, awake!" He heard the voice say.
"Jakob arise! Go fluff up the hay
Jakob, awake!" He heard the voice call.
"Jakob away and prepare thee a stall."

He opened his eyes to find no one around.
He picked up his crutch and struggled to ground.

He heard beautiful music--soft in the air
and followed its song 'til a manger was there.
He did what was told by the voice in the night
and prepared he the manger 'til all was just right.

He heard someone coming.  He slipped out out away.
The man carried the woman and set her down in the hay.
and in only a while he heard the sweet lullaby
as she sang in response to her baby's first cry.

Then up in the heavens he heard angels sing
in praise of the birth of a Heavenly King.
Shepherds bore witness, wisemen adored
as they brought in fine gifts to give the new Lord.

Jakob gazed on and caught Mary's eye.
"Come closer my son.  You've no need to be shy.
Come close here beside me.  Would you like to see too?
Come see my baby.  He'd love to see you."

She drew back the blanket from the Babe's holy face.
Jakob leaned down and kissed the cheek 'neath the lace.

Jakob loved the wee babe as he loved not before.
He knew he'd never be able to love any more.
A tear found his eye and then fell to his cheek.
He whispered to Mary in a voice frail and weak.

"I own not a gift to give to your Child."
He continued to whisper in a tone meek and mild.
"I own not a thing, not even a toy.
All I own is a crutch of a not normal boy."

Then Mary replied "Your crutch will be fine.
Remember dear Jakob in our Father's own time,
All will rejoice and all will find joy
that they too were loved by a not normal boy."

Jakob laid his crutch down, kissed the Christ Child once more
and found himself normal as he ran t'ward the door.