Silent, Holy Night

One silent night in Bethlehem
some twenty centuries distant
the intersection of earth and heaven
was visible for an instant.

For on that silent, holy night,
while men did shepherd duty,
a sudden flood of celestial light
brought both fear and beauty.

It truly awed those humble Jews
that God had chosen them
to be the first to hear the news
of God’s great gift to men.

The music played on heavenly horn
made simple men applaud,
for unto them a child was born,
a Savior come from God.

Far above the pasture glen
outside of space and time,
the Father paced the halls of heaven
awaiting birth divine.

Since Adam, tricked by serpent’s ruse
had led his race astray,
The Holy Father planned to use
this Child to show the way

For sinful man to chart a course
back to the arms of grace.
Thus did the Son, without remorse
forsake His royal place

To pay the debt of sinful man
impaled on cruel tree;
then on the third day, by God’s hand,
He’d rise for all to see.

So on that silent, holy night
redemption came to earth,
and death was robbed of all its might,
by one miraculous birth.

If as a child we trust the One
who came to Bethlehem’s stall,
the long, dark night of sin is done,
and grace extends to all.

By Clair Verway