In 1986, I made my first pilgrimage to Israel
on tour with Wayne Monbleau of the "Let's Talk About Jesus" radio ministry.
By the Threshing Floor of Boaz at the Shepherd's Field in Bethlehem
we sang with zealous hearts
every Christmas carol that we knew
as we watched the sun go down over the quaint little town.
A-Poem-a-Day Until Christmas
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| Image credit: rcia.org.uk |
A BETHLEHEM MEMORY
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!
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