‘Twas the night of Christ’s birth,
when all thro’ the land,
there was a great chaos and a long caravan;
for everyone heard the census was here,
and went home to be counted
in spite of their fear.
The camels were nestled
all snug in their stalls,
while visions they dreamt of huge water falls;
Joseph and Mary, tired and limping along,
wondered why they so eagerly said yes to God.
When Mary said, O dear and curled up in ball,
Joseph looked up at the sky
and let out a great call.
“Enough dear God, enough already,
I said I’d be faithful,
but help me be steady.
You’ve given me too much
and no time to get ready.”
He fell to his knees,
overcome and feeling wonky,
when he saw an inn with its lights on,
and a very old donkey.
The Inn keeper could not help,
but knew they were in danger,
and offered him all that he had,
the protection of an empty manger.
More rapid than eagles
the labor pains came,
and Mary cried out
and called the angels by name:
“Come Daniel, Raziel, Remiel, and Michael,
Oh! Cherubim, oh! Serphim, Raphael, and Azazel;
Pour your blessings upon us
and all in this stall!
Keep calm! Keep calm!
Keep calm y’all!”
As the animals gathered to keep the stable warm,
the stars in the sky began to take form.
This night was like all others,
so many people thought,
but the universe knew this birth
would never be forgot:
and then in a twinkling,
the birth of a baby boy
caused the heavens
and earth to sing out in joy.
As Joseph,
a mere man,
gazed upon the face of God
the choir of angels began to applaud:
the raucous of joy shook the heavens and hills,
so much that even the shepherds
felt the thrills.
Who knew this night,
God born to us in skin,
would be willing to hang on tree
and bear all our sin:
the birth of the Messiah
went unnoticed that night,
except for the animals
and a young couple riddled with fright.
Their baby divine,
known by nature as its Creator,
little did they know
he would hang as a traitor;
but for now they would raise him
and teach him the Law,
until he would turn that law into awe.
The stars came together
to form a bright light from on high
that caught the shepherd’s attention
when it lit up the sky:
an angel appeared to them to tell the story,
and they hurried off to share in the glory;
they crossed the terrain
at a fairly quick pace
until they came upon that place
full of grace.
They dropped to their knees
and began to sing,
the praises of this newborn King.
They knew in their hearts
that this gift of pure love
could only have come
from the God high above.
This world,
one day would notice this birth of a king,
and give thanksgiving
for all that he would bring:
come ye all who feel they are lowly
and see the face of God Most Holy.
Inner Altar 