Ruben Huenemann was a friend of my grandfather Roy Tate. They both were Presbyterians. The last time I saw Ruben was on a December day in 1983. It was at Willamette View Manor, where he and grandpa lived out their later years as neighbors. As we said our good-byes, Ruben told me that he wanted me to have a poem he’d written and he handed me a folded page. His words were on a piece of tablet paper that I still possess. I read the poem out loud to grandpa and Ruben, and I told them it was beautiful. Now I wonder—was that tablet page the only copy of his poem? For the words carry deep meaning still today! So it is on Christmas Eve 2016 that I share Ruben’s wish with a world in need—as much today as in 1983!

Too Far to Bethlehem

It’s just too far to Bethlehem —
From Grenada, Syria, Lebanon,
From Moscow, Teheran, Washington,
From Cuba, Korea, Nicaragua,
From Angola, Libya, Philippines,
East Zone, West Zone, In-Betweens.

My mind can’t grasp the distances.
My heart won’t bridge the gaps.
My eyes don’t span the spaces.
My hopes, in fear, collapse.

The martial feet will never tread
long miles to reach the starlit city.
This road is barred to all who walk
Without regret, remorse or pity.

Dear Child of Peace, leave Bethlehem-town,
Across the earth’s dark desolation
Your journey take, through desert waste,
To halt the foolish, warring nations.

Make haste, ‘tis late! Your Presence now
Can stay destructive madness.
Bring hope, and love, and peace once more;
Restore the joy of Christmas.              (R.H. Huenemann)

Whether you celebrate a Holiday or the solstice or anything at all; whether you are of one creed, culture or another, if you are rich or poor or healthy or ill—
May Peace be with you, may it spring outward from you and may the best measure of Joy find a way to enfold you, now and in the coming days!