"And, O, The Stars Were Bright!" - A Christmas Poem

There are so many wonderful songs and poems that tell the Christmas story. From the sonorous verses of the King James Bible, to the soaring lyrics of our favorite hymns, poets and musicians down the ages have taken their turn at telling and retelling the tale.

It is, at once, a most simple event, yet, at the same time, singular. It has had dramatic consequences, forever changing to course of this world's history for better or for worse, depending on your point of view. Nevertheless it is a wondrous thing, that the birth of one small child could cause such sweeping change.

I have written several Christmas songs, and, in fact, while writing this poem, had a melody running through my head. Perhaps this shall become a song one day. In the meantime though, it is a story poem, told in simple words, about the a baby, and a bright star that guided kings and shepherds so long ago...

On a night in cold December, rode a woman, great with child,

On a donkey, meek and gentle, with her husband by her side;

To be numbered for the census, many came, from far away,

No room left, but lowly stable, which became her stopping place -

And, O, she bore her baby there,

Laid him in the straw;

Witnessing Love's miracle,

The ox and ass looked on,

And the stars shone all around...

In the hills above a village, shepherds wait for morning's light,

To keep their flocks in safety through the long and wintery night,

Voices from the skies cascading, bright with glory, songs of joy,

Bid the frightened men have courage, "Go and seek the mangered boy!"

And, O, the skies were filled with light,

Such beauty on them shone;

They ran; they left their sheep behind,

To see Love's holy child

And, O, the stars were bright....

Through the cold and dark of winter, 'cross the desert, strangers came;

Bringing gifts of balm and spices, gold, from kingdoms far away;

Some have called them men of wisdom, some have called them men of power;

But they came as wondering children, simply following His star;

And, O, it led so brightly then,

Beckoning them on;

Blazing through the winter night, and

Heralding Love's son

And they followed where it shone...

In the quiet of the evening, winter snows or verdant dales,

We await the new Messiah, and we share our father's tales

Of a land, once dark and starless, 'lorn of hope - for heart, no ease;

We tell the story of a baby who was born to bring us peace;

And, O, it shines within our hearts,

A story for all time;

Love's star come down to light our way,

Love's light for all mankind,

And the stars that shone so bright that night, still shines in you and me

As we welcome friends and family, and place upon our tree

A star, a single shining star, to keep Love's memory -

And, O, the star is bright...

© 2011 Text by Elle Fredine, All rights reserved