A Gentle Night in Bethlehem

A Gentle Night in Bethlehem

©2005 Susan Noyes Anderson

Tonight I walk beneath a gentle sky

where stars are warm and whisper, “Peace, be still.”

The silence beckons softly, as the moon

shines clear and bright upon a distant hill.

My eyes look up, and in the glow I see

reflections of another gentle night,

when o’er the quiet hills of Bethlehem,

one star proclaimed the everlasting light.

The Everlasting Light, Emmanuel…

A Child was born, by prophecy foretold.

A humble cave was shelter to a King

who lived and died to make our hearts as gold.

A mother who had never known a man…

A father who received her, and believed.

Together, they would walk a lonely road,

in service to the Babe that was conceived.

Thou rev’rence was their due, it went unpaid.

Few people understood what was in store.

Then Caesar, who had never understood,

levied a grievous tax upon the poor.

So Joseph went with Mary to be taxed,

the glory of their calling still unknown.

And willingly, though she was great with child,

she bore the weight for all of us, alone.

She carried every hope and every dream

across a barren land and then pushed on

through pain and sorrow, Joseph at her side,

to Bethlehem, until her strength was gone.

The time was nigh, the Baby would be born.

Where would the weary travelers find their rest?

Inside the city, none would take them in,

and so a lowly stable was their nest.

A child was born of Mary, as foretold,

and in her loving arms He gently lay.

The Hope of all the world had come at last…

a baby, cradled in the new-mown hay.

The Son of Mary and the Son of God–

a newborn King descended from on high.

For lo, an angel voice proclaimed the birth

to shepherds watching o’er their flocks nearby.

And they were sore afraid, but they did hear

glad tidings, for the promise had been kept.

Their eyes beheld a star, a wondrous star…

above that sacred place where Jesus slept.

A host of angels filled the evening sky

rejoicing, shouting praises through the air.

As time stood still, the earth and heavens were joined…

for you and I, and all of us, were there.

The Wise Men brought Him gifts of purest gold;

rich frankincense and myrrh were in their hands.

They sought the newborn King to honor Him,

making their way in haste from distant lands.

Deliverance was the promise He fulfilled

when He descended from His throne above,

but He did not do battle with a sword.

Our Lord came bearing gifts of peace and love.

And peace and love were in the air that night–

that wondrous night when earth and heaven met.

Remember Him on this and every day…

and tell His story, lest we all forget;

and tell his story, lest we all forget.