A Bethlehem Memory

The Threshing Floor of Boaz, Bethlehem

 

A BETHLEHEM MEMORY

Israel Pilgrimage II, May 1987

 

O little town of Bethlehem

how still we see thee lie

from the wheat field of Boaz

this pleasant mid-spring night

 

A zealous band of pilgrims

tracing footsteps of The Lord –

with hearts ablaze to praise

One so worthy to be adored

 

We huddle at the circular

stone threshing floor for wheat

with eyes fixed on the little town

so Christmas tableau sweet

 

We look around for shepherds

as the sun is going down

while to the strumming of guitar

we lift the joyful sound

 

of our voices unto Heaven

to give our gift of song…

Every carol that we know

is offered by this throng

 

The evening is so glorious

we do not want to leave –

Our dinners may be getting cold

but here our spirits cleave

 

The darkness slowly deepens

as dim starlights appear…

twilight glows with hymn-song

while in reverie we veer

 

back to the old, old stories

of the night of Holy Birth

Each of us is enthralled by

this blessed bit of earth

 

In the distance, the townsfolk

begin to light their lights

for the routine of living

in this very awesome site

 

We wonder, do they ever kneel

to kiss the hallowed ground

where they spend their everydays?

Do the amber fields resound

 

with ecstatic jubilation?

Do stars shoot sparks of praise

for the glorious Gift given

that precious day of days?

 

O little town of Bethlehem…

this night we’ll greatly treasure

Echoes of carols, memories

will remain forever

 

Pure joy overflows our hearts

for Bethlehem’s Babe, Our Lord

was born here to save sinners…

Jesus, Savior of the World!

 

Maude Carolan

 

 

What a delightful memory it is, singing Christmas carols in Bethlehem in 1987!  This is the final poem in my series on pilgrimage to the holy land, and what a fitting poem it is as I begin a new series of Christmas poems that I hope you'll enjoy. Yesterday evening I went with friends to Hawthorne (NJ) Gospel Church to experience the 70th annual performance by The Cathedral Choir of Handel's "Messiah". It was absolutely magnificent! The true Christmas spirit is now very much alive in me.

Also, at our service at Beth Israel Worship Center, this morning, Pastor/Rabbi Jonathan Cahn lit candles on our Hanukkah menorah...I'd therefore like to take this opportunity to wish a blessed Hanukkah to all my Messianic and Jewish friends.

 

 

For anyone who may be interested, scroll to the bottom of this website for information about ordering my little books of poetry. One chapbook/booklet is a collection of Christmas poems and cookie recipes, another is a series of poems about pilgrimage.