Twas the Night before Jesus was Born

By Natalie Lowe Christmas 2008


'Twas the night before Jesus was born, when all through the land

Everyone headed to their home town, every child, woman and man;

Joseph bundled up Mary and helped her with care,

Not knowing if Baby Jesus soon would be there;

Their hearts held the memories of what the angels had said,

And thoughts of this wonder was dancing in their heads;

And Mary great with child, her hands on her lap,

Just wanting to rest and take a little nap,

She rode on the donkey with a gentle pitter patter,

Joseph watching closely to make sure nothing was the matter.

They arrived in Bethlehem, tired and worn out,

knocking on doors and going all about.

And though they tried with all their might

There was no place to rest their heads for the night,

When, finally, an innkeeper did appear,

And said, “you can rest with the animals, that’s all I have to offer my dear”,

Then out on the hillside, in the dark quiet night,

The shepherds were interrupted by a great fright.

More rapid than eagles his angels they came,

And they sang, and praised Him, and glorified His Name;

"Glory to God in the Highest!

And Peace to all men on whom His favor rests!

And then all the sudden the angels were gone.

And the shepherds stood there, gazing in awe!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

In just an instant, the angels had disappeared into the sky,

So they followed the star that looked down on the babe,

To see if it was true, and where did the child lay?
And when they arrived, what did they behold?

A babe in a manger, just as they had been told!

The shepherds stared in wonder and looked all around,

To take in the site of where a baby king was found.

He was wrapped in swaddling clothes, from his head to his foot,

And he was so tiny and looked so cute!

Mary smiled at them, even with the animals in the back,

As the babe was laying in a small hay stack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His sweet little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And his perfect tiny chin quivered just so!



He had a sweet face and the shepherd reached out to touch his hand,

And he suddenly understood, this was the great “I AM”.

He fell on his knees and bowed down to the king,

and worshipped and praised because of this great thing!

As the shepherd boy rose up to depart,

Mary looked all around and treasured everything in her heart;
She spoke not a word, but held the babe so dear

And looked over at Joseph, and she saw a little tear.

She traced his face with her finger, down the side of his nose,

For knew in her heart her babe would face many foes;

And she would keep him and love him as long as she could,

For they were part of something that was too difficult to be understood.
As the shepherds walked away and were almost out of sight,
She whispered in his ear, “sleep tight tonight.”
Peace on Earth, Good will to all Men,
Prince Jesus has been born, to save the world from Sin!
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