CHRISTMAS POEM 2023

Sleep Escaped Me

Sleep escaped me As I gaz-ed as I gaz-ed From that warm Judean Inn What transpired Deeply fazed me, deeply fazed me So my soul was vexed within

‘No more room’ Said the keeper, said the keeper Then a thud, the door shut tight Two there huddled Sorrow deeper, sorrow deeper Ensconced within that thankless night.

And with child? How to rest her, how to rest her In a world with frenzy taxed Heard a whisper ‘You must bless her, you must bless her’ How my bowels of mercy waxed.

Yonder stable I would lend her, I would lend her To assuage her rising fears Her eyes thanked me Oh so tender, oh so tender Yet so sad for future years

Tenderly a Place to bear Him, place to bear Him Hay prepared for royalty Then my soul B’gan to fear Him, B‘gan to fear Him Who on earth this child be?

Then a sudden Whimpers softly, whimpers softly The baby seemed both great and sleight Mingled with those Cries so lofty, cries so lofty Gripped the stoic, Eastern night.

Illum-ed creatures Sang a chorus, sang a chorus ‘Peace on earth, good will to man’ Then a star stood Right there o’er us, Right there o’er us Spotlight on God’s perfect plan.

No mere mortal Was this child, was this child I recalled the prophet’s moan The mighty Maker Meek and mild, Meek and mild One day would for man atone.

Time flew by as Scene did hound me, scene did hound me Of that Babe in manger lain Till that day The Temple found me, Temple found me God would now at last explain.

Sleep escaped me As I gaz-ed, as I gaz-ed One upon a cross so tall What transpired Deeply fazed me, deeply fazed me The babe, the sacrifice for all.

rgh