CHRISTMAS HYMN - AN UNMARRIED MOTHER GAVE BIRTH IN A STABLE

An unmarried mother gave birth in a stable,

some saw a fulfilment of all they had heard,

to others this story, the birth of the Godhead,

was more than amazing, was frankly absurd.

Some delved into scripture and said that a virgin,

was destined to carry a child who would grow

to be a Messiah, salvation for nations,

and others would question how history could know.

So back to the story, now Bethlehem beckons,

a carpenter-pawn come to sign for the state,

the bureaucrats needing a list for taxation

and everyone hurries before it’s too late.

A legend would grow up of shepherds and magi,

no snow at this Christmas beneath a night’s sky.

A man who would die as a crucified preacher

was born with sparse shelter as people passed by.

And so came the story of birth in a stable,

of Bethlehem’s journey, a virgin and child.

And lost is the essence, the mystery and wonder,

of God born among us abused and reviled.

Much later a soldier saw God in this prophet

a man  who would love to his very last breath

the dying, the hopeless, those outside religion,

and all those beside who had shared in his death.

Andrew Pratt 22/11/2017

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