'Twas the night before Jesus, and all through the town,
a
couple was searching for a place to lie down.
“No Vacancy” signs were hung within view,
and soon there
would be three searchers, not two.
For a child was nestled inside of the lass;
the time of his birth
would soon come to pass.
One kindly innkeeper spoke up that day
to offer his stable,
with newly-strewn hay.
Outside of town, where flocks of sheep huddled,
all thoughts
of deep sleep were suddenly scuttled.
Away to the hillsides the shepherds all flew;
why were the
lambs all in such a stew?
They bleated and baaed and ran around so,
that it felt like mid-day
to shepherds below.
When, what to their wondering eyes should appear
but an
angel of God, who said, “Do not fear.
I bring you good news of great joy, so be glad.
This is the
best news that you’ve ever had!
Choose you this day to wipe off your frown.
Messiah is born
in Bethlehem-town!”
More rapid than eagles, a choir then came;
a huge group of
angels all praising God’s name:
"Now there is good will to all earthly men!
Glory to
God in the highest! Amen!”
At the top of their lungs the choir sang out:
“Now praise
Him! Now praise Him without a doubt!
And here’s how you’ll know what we’re saying is true:
a babe
in a manger; a sign unto you.”
So off to the village the shepherds then ran,
to prove all
the words from the heavenly band.
And then, in a twinkling, they heard in a stable,
the cry of
a baby, both healthy and able.
The shepherds drew close to the source of the sound
and
realized the newborn Messiah was found!
He was wrapped in a cloth, from his head to his toe.
His
mother was so proud, she practically glowed.
Surrounded by hay as he lay on his back,
he looked like a
hungry young lamb’s midnight snack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! His dimples—how merry!
His
cheeks were like olives; his nose like a berry!
His dear little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
then he
quieted down and to sleep he did go.
Thirty years later, on a hill far away,
surrounded by
mockers instead of fresh hay,
This innocent baby, now an innocent man,
completed God’s
purpose since time first began.
Nails in a tree held his hands and his feet,
and thorns
encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a bruised face; they bloodied God’s Son.
He shook
when he cried out, “It’s finished! It’s done!”
On the third day since they sealed off his tomb,
his men
were hiding out in a locked room
When Jesus showed up and offered them peace:
“You’re no
longer sin’s slaves; I’ve arranged your release!”
He was breathing and talking, although he had died!
The
disciples could hardly believe what they’d spied.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head soon gave them to
know they had nothing to dread.
He spoke many words, and sent them to work,
“Go into the
world, but don’t be a jerk.
Teach all the Good News through poem and prose,”
and giving
a nod, to the sky he then rose!
The disciples all stared up into the sky;
some wanted to
yell; some wanted to cry.
Two angels exclaimed, as Christ flew out of sight,
“Fear
not! He’ll return like a thief in the night!”
©2013 Dewey Roth
