On a bleak and frosty night
Vexed and weary two travellers rode
Along the pathways-craggy and ragged
From Nazareth, trudging miles on end
Full pregnant, was she with child
Mary -the Virgin, suffused with Spirit Holy
Divinely ordained to bear the Godly Prince
Conceived before, she had known her spouse.
Abiding in Heaven’s Providence n’ care
They had rode past miles behind
Far too fatigued by the trip
Mary, now badly needed a place to rest.
Heading towards the blinking lights
Not far from the city’s guarded gate
Joseph sighted a tavern-small
Perched high on a tiny hill
A sense of relief beamed past
They have come at last to the journey’s end
Finally found a place to rest!
An interim home away from home
Tethering the donkey outside the gate
Joseph helped Mary alight the brute
In eager search, he hurried inside
With Mary, following with faltering steps.
But the couple, to their dismay found
Within the tavern, room, there was none
For many a man had gathered round
To halt there on that freezing night
Sundry folk from surrounding lands
Had reached Bethlehem for the yearly census
Tradesmen selling clothes and cheese
Nomads of varying clans and clime
Petulant camels, braying donkeys
The place was littered with man and beast.
The tavern small, so packed to full
Had no more space to harbour the crowd
Mary and Joseph, though dejected,
Were encamped within a manger- warm
With tender concern, Joseph joked,
To ease the strain on Mary’s face
“Gaze upon this palace of gold
Where a son shall soon be born to us”!
Mary smiled a gentle smile,
Humoured by her husband’s jest
Under the gaze of tethered hosts
In veiled privacy of the midnight gloom
She gave birth to a radiant child,
The great Redeemer to all Mankind
The star studded sky suddenly glowed
With a rare brilliance never beheld
And a celestial voice trailed along
Delivering ‘tidings of joy’ to the globe around!
I am greatly HONOURED Pat! Thank you so much for the wonderful comments, coming from the generosity of your heart! !
The Christmas Story reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas. Good one Valsa.
You create Mary and Joseph's journey with spellbinding lines that paint such a vivid picture that shines so bright! Thank you for sharing.
The arduous journey to Bethlehem is beautifully rendered in a timely poem. Merry Christmas to all.
i wonder what kind of cheese they were selling. i can't help it, Valsa; you know how much i like food (and women; but i didn't touch mary!) , including cheese, especially on pizza! With tender concern, Joseph joked, To ease the strain on Mary’s face......... ........i don't recall the bible mentioning jokes, but i wouldn't be surprised. what a nice husband! - - - - - - - - - - all joking aside, this stanza is my favorite so far: Under the gaze of tethered hosts In veiled privacy of the midnight gloom She gave birth to a radiant child, The great Redeemer to all Mankind............. are the hosts the animals who are sharing their haven? i believe hosts is also used in the bible to refer to angels. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - this poem was not altogether stressful for this former good christian and current agnostic/atheist. yeah, i kinda liked it. and i am reminded of the hard x-mas candy we christian kids got if we attended midnight service on x-mas eve. i think it was midnight. thanks for sharing. don't forget to also read the private message i am about to send about this poem. :) bri
Description of first Christmas is amazingly beautiful and brings a divine joy.
A really wonderful poem, the journey is a hard one, but one that has to be done. A fantastic poem.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Talk about putting the frosting on the cake! You have so poignantly told and elaborated on the greatest story ever told. I felt that you truly take the readers with you on this journey telling the turn of events that lead up to the birth of the Saviour of the world. A highly deserve 10+++ on this very excellent write! You took me there.