Our Theme this week is "God in the House: For All Generations."
Paul Laurence Dunbar, born in 1872 in Dayton, Ohio to former slaves, was one of the first African Americans to receive national recognition as a poet. He penned this poem in 1892. Entitled “Lil’ Brown Baby,” it is an expression of a father’s playful affection to his son. When I read it, I imagine Joseph’s love for Jesus. Hear these words as we welcome the Christ child!
Little brown baby with sparklin' eyes,
Come to your papa and sit on his knee.
What you been doin', sir — makin' sand pies?
Look at that bib — you’re as dirty as me!
Look at that mouth — that’s molasses, I bet;
Come here, Maria, and wipe off his hands.
Bees gonna catch you and eat you up yet!
Being so sticky and sweet — goodness lan's!
Little brown baby with sparklin' eyes,
Who's papa’s darlin' and who's papa’s child?
Who is that who never once tries to
Fuss, be cross, or once lose that smile?
Where did you get them teeth? My, you’re a scamp!
Where did that dimple come from in your chin?
Papa doesn’t know you — I believe you're a tramp;
Mama, this here is some ol' straggler that got in!
Let's throw him out, We don’t want stragglers layin’ 'round here;
Let's give him away to the big bugger man;
I know he's hiding around here.
Bugger man, bugger man, come in the door!
Here’s a bad boy you can have to eat.
Mama and papa don’t want him no more,
Swallow him up from his head to his feet!
Awww, now I thought that would make you hug me up close.
Go back, ol' bugger man, you can’t have this boy.
He ain't no tramp, nor no straggler, of course;
He's papa’s partner and playmate and joy.
Come to your pallet now — go to your rest;
Wish you could always know ease and clear skies;
Wish you could stay just a child on my breast.
Little brown baby with sparkling eyes!
--- Rev. Ray Jordan
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