The Night Before Christmas
by Sister St. Thomas, B.N.D. de N
A more spiritual version of the famous Christmas story.
T'was the night before Christmas, and all
through the town,
St. Joseph was searching,
walking up roads and down;
Our Lady was waiting, so meek and so
mild,
While Joseph was seeking a place for the
Child.
The children were nestled, each snug in
their beds,
The grown-ups wouldn't bother,
"There's no room," they said;
When even the inkeeper sent them away,
Joseph was wondering, where they would stay?
He thought of the caves in the side of the
hills,
"Let's go there," said Mary, "it's silent
and still."
The moon on the breast of the new fallen
snow,
Made pathways of light for their tired feet
to go;
And there in a cave, in a cradle of
hay,
Our Saviour was born on that first Christmas
Day!
The Father was watching in heaven
above,
He sent for His angels, His couriers of
love.
More rapid than eagles God's bright angels
came,
Rejoicing and eager as each heard his
name;
"Come Power, Come Cherubs, Come Virtues,
Come Raphael,
Come Thrones and Dominions, come
Michael and Gabriel;
Now fly to the Earth, where My poor people
live,
Announce the glad tiding My Son comes to
give."
The Shepherds were watching their flocks on
this night,
And saw in the heavens an unearthly
light.
The Angels assured them, they'd nothing to
fear,
It's Christmas they said, the Saviour is
here!
They hastened to find Him, and stood at the
door,
Till Mary invited them in to adore.
He was swaddled in bands from His head to
His feet,
Ne'er did the Shepherds see a baby so
sweet!
He spoke not a word, but the shepherds all
knew,
He was telling them secrets and blessing
them too;
Then softly they left Him, The Babe in the
hay,
And rejoiced with great joy on that first
Christmas Day.
Mary heard them exclaim as they walked up
the hill,
"Glory to God in the Highest, Peace to
men of good will!"
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The image at the top of this page is from The Christian Coptic Orthodox Church Of Egypt website and Image Gallery.