T h e   J o u r n e y' s   E n d

Never had she expected it to turn out this way,
jostled on the donkey's back thru all this tiresome day.
The little one inside of her liked to jostle, too;
Mary knew the angel's words would soon be coming true . 

It seemed the trip to Bethlehem would never, ever end.
Surely they'd reach a shelter just around the next bend.
Her aching back cried out for rest, a welcoming bed;
was that the Inn of Bethlehem looming there ahead?

She watched as her dear Joseph
knocked on a wooden door,
but at each door he knocked on,
the answer was "No more!"
Her hands reached down to soothe the babe
as he kicked inside;
hopeless tears slid down her cheeks,
and Mary softly cried.

Then she heard a kind voice gently say,
"I know a place."
(He hadn't made the offer 'till he glanced at Mary's face.)
Their haven was a stable; this was Jehovah's provision.
To gladly praise Him for it was Mary's wise decision.

Mary, the little mother, was so weary that long night.
Her baby boy was born as the stars
shone down their light.
She tenderly held the Christ-child,
caressed his fuzzy head,
then laid him oh, so gently in the cozy manger-bed.

Visitors would be coming soon to see her royal son;
an angel's proclamation had told them he was The One.
But for now, she was exhausted
beyond what words could say.
Mary slipped into sweet slumber, nestled in the hay.

"....the time came for her to be delivered.  And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn."
                        (Luke 2:6 & 7, RSV Bible)