A-Poem-a-Day
Until Christmas
The following is one of my earliest poems of praise
written following a pilgrimage to Israel.
It was the first poem that I mailed to friends and family
in lieu of Christmas cards--
It marked the beginning of a Christmas tradition
that has spanned 30 years.
 |
| Image credit: godinanutshell.com |
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 the 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 simply 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 always 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!
No comments:
Post a Comment