Christian poetry. I wrote this for a Christmas church service in 2002

We remember the birth of a babe this day,
born in a stable, his bed filled with hay,
heralded by angels and searched for by kings
but whose life would be full of much simpler things.

His mother, Mary, a woman of faith and trust,
His father, Joseph, a carpenter, honest and just -
for although nigh to Mary he had not been
God told him to take her to wife, in a dream.

And so they were wed and began their life,
Joseph - the carpenter - and Mary, his wife.
And came the time close when her confinement would be
and out of Judaea there came a decree.

A census was ordered, taxation was due,
families must to the towns of their births return to,
and so to unto Bethlehem Joseph did start,
with Mary, a donkey, and his own heavy heart.

The town was so full with those who had returned
refreshment flowed heavy and the lighted lamps burned,
yet despite diligent searching, Joseph found not a bed
for Mary, his wife, and his heart filled with dread.

A lowly innkeeper took pity on the pair
although he had no room that they might share,
but showing a stable said it was all that he had
and for that they were thankful and exceedingly glad.

And that night was the night our Lord was born,
under twinkling stars before the dawn,
in a lowly stable in Bethlehem
he came to save the world of men.

In fields, the shepherds a vision saw
angels sent them to see the babe in straw,
and three kings travelled from far away,
to worship their new born king that day.

And from that first Christmas, stemmed love divine
a love so pure to last all time,
for God's only son was born you see
To die for the sins of you and me.

God's greatest gift, his only son,
as seers had foretold, to this world did come.
and so we remember the birth of a babe this day
born in a stable, his bed filled with hay,
heralded by angels and searched for by kings
but whose life would be full of much simpler things.