Once Upon a Visit to Bethlehem...

A-Poem-a-Day Until Christmas

Photo credit: slideplayer.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

one 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!

Maude Carolan

I’ll be reading holiday poetry

with a few good friends

at The Ant Bookstore & Café

345 Clifton Avenue, Clifton, NJ

Saturday, December 15, 7 p.m.

Sr. Jane Abeln, SMIC

Pastor EJ Emerson

Maude Carolan Pych

Barbara Williams-Hubbard

COME JOIN US

for a festive evening

of poetry, music & homemade Christmas cookies!

Admission is free