Wednesday, December 14, 2011

A Gentle Night in Bethlehem




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.

14 comments:

karen said...

Merry Christmas, Sue! What a beautiful tale of Christmas to remind us all to keep that perspective. It gives me an indescribably peaceful feeling. And gratitude - oh yes, so much gratitude!

Pondside said...

That was so well-told.
I've always loved to think of those shepherds - the lucky ones to know first - the ones who believed and went to the stable.

Brian Miller said...

smiles...every year on christmas we read the story to our boys...perhaps this year we will read them this...very nice sue

Donna said...

Did you write this? It's beautifully done!!! Thanks for the great reminder of the reason for the season!!

Susan Anderson said...

Yep, I wrote it for a Christmas program.
Thanks, Donna...I'm glad you like it!

=)

Unknown said...

I wish I could have been there that night. But thanks to you, we have the next best thing.:)

Esther Joy said...

Sue, that was so beautifully done!

anitamombanita said...

Beautiful. Nothing more I can or need to say. ;)

Darlene said...

Love it so much and the pictures were perfect. Of course I am impressed and if Brian is considering reading it to his boys, you have to know it is extra special. I am glad that you have captured it all here.

Myrna Foster said...

Beautiful. I especially loved your last stanza.

What Child Is This is one of my favorite Christmas carols. Have you heard Andrea Bocelli sing it?

Merry Christmas, Sue! Thank you for always commenting on my posts. I'm so glad we became blogging friends! :o)

Jocelyn Christensen said...

You are such a beautiful writer!

Em said...

so so beautiful. i'm really starting to get into the christmas spirit now, thanks:)

Leovi said...

I love those bright and beautiful Christmas cards.

Grandma Honey said...

Tell his story, lest we forget...
Absolutely!