The Christmas Bird

We think of the cardinal as the bird of Christmas

His song tells us to take pride and have confidence.

He is a thing of beauty, joy, and good luck.

He causes creativity to flow, to help a stalled life get unstuck.

His crimson plumage is linked to fire and vitality;

He may bring you energy and stimulate activity.

The Cherokees believed cardinals were daughters of the sun

And to see one fly upwards would bring you good fortune.

The male cardinal sports vivid red feathers and a crested head--

He has parallels to Christ, so it is said.

Spiked, red, and comparable to the crown of thorns

Which Jesus’ tormentors put on his head as means of scorn.

What-cheer, what-cheer is heard from the bird’s short thick bill,

A cardinal’s tune is likened to a slurred whistle.

A duet from these stunning red birds can delight us—

If their song had words would it lament:  faith must be our focus?

From his topknot to his tail feathers

The cardinal carries glad tidings of Christmas treasures.

The dove represents peace in multiple Bible verses,

But it's the cardinal who sparks love, expectancy, and creative urges.

Vibrant crimson red are his plumage and wings

Reminding us that Christ shed his blood to forgive our sins.

To see a red cardinal against a background of snow so white

Reminds us of Mary’s babe born that long ago Bethlehem night.

And so now it is commonly seen on a lighted Christmas tree

An ornament that sports the imagery

Of one little red bird we all love to spy

Especially at Christmas, now you know why.