3:59:59 pm Dec 27, 2008

In a southern Israeli border town
A six-year-old girl dances with joy
As her mother attaches her latest drawing
To the refrigerator, with a bright blue ribbon.
While the girl giggles, a randomly-fired rocket
Slams through the roof of their house,
Killing them both in an instant.

In the Gaza Strip, a peasant woman
With three young children to care for
Hangs the last of their pitiful, wet clothing
On a thin rope stretched between two buildings.
An Israeli warplane drops a bomb on a
Hamas police station near her home.
Several pieces of hot shrapnel from the
Powerful explosion rip through her body.
She dies before she hits the ground.
A second bomb, falling astray, punches
Through the roof of a nearby hospital,
Killing and wounding dozens already wounded.

A Christian family in Israel gathers in the yard,
In front of their house, bidding relatives goodbye
As they head back home from Christmas celebrations.
The first one reaches for the handle of his car
When a mortar shell lands in the yard,
Killing three and injuring seven.

In Gaza, a Hamas spokesman issues a warning.
In response to Israeli aggression, his group will soon
Begin firing longer-range, military-grade missiles
Deeper and deeper into Israel.

In Tel Aviv, the Israeli foreign-minister issues a statement
Saying that her country will respond to this new aggression
With appropropriate force, adding that "No nation in the
World would allow such wanton barbarism against it's own
Citizens without responding in kind." Late for a meeting,
She glances down at the watch on her wrist just in time
To see the second-hand tick to 3:00.

In Heaven, Jesus weeps.