My little corner of the world

I have the most awesome in-laws in the world. Not only are they responsible for raising my beloved husband, they are some pretty darn special people in their own right.

Anyway, my father-in-law volunteered to compose a poem in the style of “The Night Before Christmas” to be read at church… and this is what he wrote. I hope it is as much a blessing to you as it was to me.

The Night That Brought Christmas

T’was a day in December long, long ago
And people had gathered ‘cause Caesar said so.
Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem town
Searched for a place to lay their heads down.
The inns were all packed and bustling with guests.
Joseph worried that Mary had no place to rest.
Then, an innkeeper seeing Mary with child
Offered use of a stable with clean hay piled.
The night was dark, cold, windy, forlorn
‘Til came time for Mary’s babe to be born.
She wrapped him warmly from his head to his feet
And he slept in a manger so quiet, so sweet.
An angel had spoken to Joseph while dreaming
And said: “The world will soon find great meaning
In the story of Jesus, the babe born on this night.
For he will show all how love rules over might.
While these things happened, out in the hills
Shepherds tending their sheep lay silent and still.
Then up in the heavens there came such a light
They covered their eyes and shivered with fright.
But an angelic voice wished them good cheer.
“I bring you good tidings. You’ve nothing to fear.
In the City of David in a stable nearby
God’s only son in a manger doth lie.”
Lo, the angel was joined by a heavenly choir
And their hearts were all warmed, as if by a fire.
They sang praises to God and peace to all men.
The shepherds, amazed, could scarce take it in.
Then after the angels had all gone away
They said: “Let us go find this babe in the hay.”
Down to Bethlehem, as if magically led,
They came to the stable and babe in his bed.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad
The tidings of joy God’s child brought to all.
And all who heard what the shepherds had said
Were as content as the starving who have just been well fed.
As the shepherds returned, retelling the story
They sang out their praises: “To God be the glory!”
But Mary kept all these things in her heart
To ponder the meaning that set her apart.
And as this old story rings down the years
And brings eternal joy to our listening ears.
We wonder about Mary as she lay on the hay.
Did she know that was the first Christmas Day?
– Tom Lollis