When You Look Into The Manger

By

Rose Betcher

The inns were full, the streets were bareThe night was dark, no one aware

That soon the world, would see His SonThe One on whom all hopes were hung

A tiny light begins to shine

Of royal men, from far awayThey’ll bring their homage here today

From out the east, there is a line

A sound is heard, so faint but clear

The shepherds turn as it draws near

Their fears aroused, they shrink in fright

But still they watch the gleaming sight

While in a stable, unawarethere waits a humble, quiet pairThe time is coming, oh so nearFor soon their baby will appear

The star has found its’ place of rest

The wise men hurry to the west

The shepherds lift their faces highAs angels’ voices fill the sky

Then all with one accord they turn And rush to tell of what they’ve learned

The mother groans in great travail

She holds fast to the angel’s tale

A promise that this lowly birthWill bring

redemption to the earth

As Joseph paced outside the doorNot quite knowing what’s in store

The camel bells draw closer stillThe shepherds hasten from the hill

A silence, then a baby’s cryThe star glows brighter in the sky

The father greets his brand new son,The mother knows that He’s the One

But how can one so soft and smallRepay the debt of Adam’s fall?

Upon a bed of hay He laysThe sky is brightening towards the day

The courtyard fills with sudden guestsA sense of peace upon them rests

With gifts in hand, they

gather roundAnd for a time,

there’s not a sound

The shepherds meekly come

and kneelAs awe and joy are all they feel

“Christ is born”, the angels singThe blessed good tidings do they bring

The world still slumbers, unawareThat He is here, our sins to bear.

Can you see Him, sleeping nowAs the wise men humbly bow?

Does the scene seem oh so sweet,As the shepherds come to greet

The Babe they heard proclaimed that nightIn song and with a glorious light?

Would you like to have been there?Would you kneel and gently stare

As our Lord lay sound asleepSurrounded by those little sheep?

What would you see on that cold night?Just a child in sweet respite?

Or would you see a newborn kingWith God’s great gift of love to bring?

Would you see the price God paid

To let His Son go, unafraid

Into a world of hate and greed

To live a life of hard pressed need

No home to rest, no easy way

With not a place, His head to lay?

Would you see the scorn receivedAs Satan strives, and man’s deceived?

Would you see the role He’d playTo take us all back home one day?

And would you look into your

soul

And see your need to be

made whole?

Would you shed the sin and dross?

When you look in the manger,Would you see the cross?