Christmas Poem

Creeping in the narrow streets of Bethlehem were shadows
And creeping in the shadows were the people of the town.
In all the hearts of Bethlehem and Israel, lurked shadows;
They waited for a King to bring the long awaited dawn.

Weeping in the dark of night, the people wrestled shadows
Weeping in the silent world outside the city wall
And crying in each helpless heart was rage against the shadows
And crying in a stable was an infant in a stall.

Could you but see in Bethlehem, what wonders chased the shadows!
What lights, what haunting music, leaping heart-songs, flying feet!
While all the weary people slumbered waiting in the shadows,
The shadows all were fleeing from the dawn-light in the street!

This strange, this shocking story bursts upon us from the shadows
A wailing child and wistful girl make earth's foundations shake.
No longer will the world be left despairing in the shadows
For Light and Life came squirming in a manger at daybreak.

And blinding light comes flooding now to chase away the shadows
And blinded eyes are opened, and the blind man meets the day,
And joy is pulsing in our hearts, set free at last from shadows
As all the power and love of God lies sleeping in the hay.