It was a cold crisp winters night.

They had just come home from church.

The moon shined so brightly.

She went into the barn for one

Last check.

She was greeted by the barn cat

And the soft lowing of the cattle.

She could see their warm breath

In the cold night air.

She took a deep breath as she

Sat on the side of the hay wagon.

She could smell the hay and grain

And cows.

She remembered the story

The preacher had told that evening

And his words

“And they wrapped the Babe

in swaddling cloths

and laid Him in the manger.”

And for a little while she

Felt as if she was a world

Away in the little town of

Bethlehem.

Susan Bergeron

November 16, 2010