by Timothy McKeown
'Twas the night before Christ’s birth, and all through the land
A tax was decreed for every child, woman and man...
Everyone went to his city. Joseph and Mary were there
In Bethlehem, the city of David, with the child she would bear
Joseph, a just man, was all snug in his bed
When a dream of an angel came into his head.
“Joseph, son of David, fear not when you wake from this nap
to take Mary as your wife, despite all the flap:
For her Child conceived is of the Holy Ghost.
You shall call Him JESUS, who shall save to the uttermost.”
So away to Bethlehem they went like a flash,
Without a place to stay and with very little cash.
Now in the same country, shepherds were abiding in the field,
keeping watch o’er their flock by night, which was calm and still.
When what to their wondering eyes should appear?
The angel of the Lord, and they were filled with such fear.
The glory of the Lord shone round about them that night.
The angel brought good tidings of great joy, to relieve their fright.
“Unto you is born a Savior, Christ the Lord, and a sign God chose.
You shall find the babe in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes.”
Suddenly there appeared with the angel a heavenly host;
Praising God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest most.
And on earth peace and good will to all men.”
When the angels left, the shepherds went straight to Bethlehem.
They found Mary, Joseph, and the babe in a stable within.
They laid him in a manger; for there was no room at the inn.
Now all this was done, to fulfill the prophet of the Lord,
“A virgin shall be with child, and be brought forth to the world.
and they shall call his name Emmanuel,” which means God with us.
But his other name means Savior and that name is JESUS.
Now later there came wise men from a far.
They came to Herod and said “We have seen His Star.
Where is He that is born to be the King of the Jews?”
They came to worship Him but for Herod ‘twas not good news.
He sent them to Bethlehem to find the Christ child.
The star led them to Him as He laid meek and mild.
They fell in his presence, and worshipped the king.
Their treasures, gold, frankincense, and myrrh, did they bring.
And when they had seen Christ, they made known abroad,
Great tidings of good news of the newly born Son of God.
And all who heard it wondered at those things which were told,
By shepherds and kings, by young and by old,
All these things were pondered by Mary in her heart.
This is the true Christmas story, as told from the start.
If you wish to be like shepherds and kings, then search for Christ.
Be like the manger, place him in the heart of your life.
You will be a true child of God and be precious in His sight,
So Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
