One dark night
I
One dark night
the sheep are restless
and not able to sleep,
but there’s no wolf
or lion or other wild animal
trying to catch them
and there’s a strange light
hanging high with the other starts.
It’s as if the whole field around us
are waiting on something mystic to happen
and all the wild animals are awake
and here and there
lightning bolts are hitting white blue
out of an open sky.
II
While this is happening
we sit with anxiety around
a bright hot campfire
on which we put more logs
time after time
and gaze into the night
and wonder what is coming?
Suddenly a mighty being appears
surrounded by blinding white light
and it’s clear that he comes
from the almighty God
and we are speechless with fear
and scared to be in the presence
of a holy being.
III
l’Envoi
His voice is clear in pitch and sound
and sounds more pure
than bells ringing
and he tells of a child
that is born,
a Son,
being called:
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father
and Prince of Peace
and that He is the Christ and the Messiah.
In Bethlehem, just over the hill
we will find Him
wrapped in cloth in a manger
between farm animals.
[References: Luke 2: 8-1, Isaiah 9: 6.]
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
The Christmas Night
Wrapped was the world in slumber deep,
By seaward valley and cedarn steep,
And bright and blest were the dreams of its sleep;
All the hours of that wonderful night-tide through
The stars outblossomed in fields of blue,
A heavenly chaplet, to diadem
The King in the manger of Bethlehem.
Out on the hills the shepherds lay,
Wakeful, that never a lamb might stray,
Humble and clean of heart were they;
Thus it was given them to hear
Marvellous harpings strange and clear,
Thus it was given them to see
The heralds of the nativity.
In the dim-lit stable the mother mild
Looked with holy eyes on her child,
Cradled him close to her heart and smiled;
Kingly purple nor crown had he,
Never a trapping of royalty;
But Mary saw that the baby's head
With a slender nimbus was garlanded.
Speechless her joy as she watched him there,
Forgetful of pain and grief and care,
And every thought in her soul was a prayer;
While under the dome of the desert sky
The Kings of the East from afar drew nigh,
And the great white star that was guide to them
Kept ward o'er the manger of Bethlehem.
poem by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
A Special Child Is Born
He was a very special child, who was born in a very miraculous way,
He was born of a virgin on what was otherwise a very ordinary day.
For He was conceived by The Holy Spirit inside his mother's womb,
He was then born in a manger, because in the inn there was no room.
However, He was born a King and would become the Savior of us all,
This was not very obvious, as He was born among animals in a stall.
This was very humble beginning for the creator of the entire world,
Yet He brought a message of peace and hope for all of us to herald.
God spoke first to his mother Mary about the child she did conceive,
You shall give him the name Jesus and many in Israel will believe.
God spoke next to Joseph about the child Mary suddenly found within,
His name shall be Jesus for He will save His people from their sin.
And one day this little child who many people will come to adore,
Won't be lying in a manger, but be on David's throne forevermore.
The night that He was born the sky was filled with an awesome light,
And fear fell over shepherds who were watching their sheep at night.
It was an angel saying fear not, as I bring you good news to herald,
In the City of David a child has been born the Savior of the world.
Today Jesus who died and was raised to The Father's side in Glory,
Waits with Salvation for all who believe it's more than just a story.
(Copyright © 03/2003)
Today... 'Christ the Lord
In David's town the promised Saviour came
Christ the Lord was His name
The Counsellor and Almighty God lay
A Babe in Bethlehem's cradle that day.
Angels in heaven his glory declare
Local shepherds came to worship Him there
Eastern wise men followed His natal star
And travelled to see Him from lands afar.
Words of Isaiah that prophet of old
Of His glory and virgin birth foretold
'To us a child is born Who is the Lord
Wonderful Counsellor and Mighty God'
This wondrous child of God in whom we see
The fullness of the Godhead bodily
Is none other than Jesus Christ the Lord
The promised Saviour foretold in Gods Word
(see also the additional information below in the Poet's box)
For Unto Us
For unto us a child is born, the promise to all that God had sworn.
Christ Jesus was born to fulfill, God’s promise to all through Israel.
For unto us a Son is given, One through whom we are all forgiven.
Christ is God’s reconciliation to man, the heart of His eternal plan.
He is to be Wonderful Counselor, One that only God could assure.
Sent with God’s plan to fulfill, with His wonderful and wise counsel.
Christ shall reign as Mighty God, ruling the world with an Iron Rod.
While He comforts His very own, from His Mighty Eternal Throne.
The Everlasting Father He will be, as The God over all of Eternity.
The Father of every single nation; who come to Him for salvation.
Christ will reign as Prince of Peace, with a rule that will not cease.
An everlasting peace shall come, only through God’s Eternal Son.
As Son of David He was know, and shall be exalted to that throne.
And from that humble quiet birth, Christ will reign over all the earth.
Christ was the Messiah awaited for, to rule the world forevermore.
And He will rule just as He said, filling enemies with eternal dread.
Jesus is the name given Him, as He'll save His own from their sin.
The Lamb of God to every nation, that truly seeks God’s salvation.
Immanuel means God with us, and He is one whom you can trust.
Christ is Eternal God my friend, and He will be with you to the end.
(Copyright ©12/2005)
One of the Shepherds
We were out on the hills that night
To watch our sheep;
Drowsily by the fire we lay
Where the waning flame did flicker and leap,
And some were weary and half asleep,
And some talked low of their flocks and the fright
Of a lion that day.
But I had drawn from the others apart;
I was only a lad,
And the night's great silence so filled my heart
That I dared not talk and I dared not jest;
The moon had gone down behind the hill
And even the wind of the desert was still;
As the touch of death the air was cold,
And the world seemed all outworn and old;
Yet a poignant delight in my soul was guest,
And I could not be sad.
Still were my thoughts the thoughts of youth
Under the skies:
I dreamed of the holy and tender truth
That shone for me in my mother's eyes;
Of my little sister's innocent grace,
And the mirthful lure in the olive face
Of a maid I had seen at the well that day,
Singing low as I passed that way,
And so sweet and wild were the notes of her song,
That I listened long.
Was it the dawn that silvered and broke
Over the hill?
Each at the other looked in amaze,
And never a breathless word we spoke.
Fast into rose and daffodil
Deepened that splendor; athwart its blaze
That pierced like a sword the gulf of night
We saw a form that was shaped of the light,
And we veiled our faces in awe and dread
To hearken the tidings the Bright One told
Oh! wonderful were the words he said
Of a Child in Bethlehem's manger old.
The stars were drowned in that orient glow;
The sky was abloom like a meadow in spring;
But each blossom there was a radiant face
And each flash of glory a shining wing;
They harped of peace and great good will,
And such was their music that well I know
There can never again in my soul be space
For a sound of ill.
The light died out as the sunset dies
In the western skies;
Swift went we to the Bethlehem khan,
Many our questions laughed to scorn,
But one, a gray and wrinkled man,
With strange, deep eyes that searched the heart,
Led us down to the child new-born
In a dim-lighted cave apart.
There on the straw the mother lay
Wan and white,
But her look was so holy and rapt and mild
That it seemed to shed a marvellous light,
Faint as the first rare gleam of day,
Around the child.
It was as other children are
Saving for something in the eyes,
Starlike and clear and strangely wise
Then came a sudden thought to me
Of a lamb I had found on the waste afar;
Lost and sick with hunger and cold,
I had brought it back in my arms to the fold
For tender ministry.
Dawn had flooded the east as a wave
When we left the cave;
All the world suddenly seemed to be
Young and pure and joyous again;
The others lingered to talk with the men,
Full of wonder and rapture still;
But I hastened back to the fold on the hill
To tend the lamb that had need of me.
poem by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
How Wide The Dawn
How wide the Dawn
Is smiling!
How silent-new
The air is breathing!
How raw the sea
Without a wave
Is looking!
And in the night –
Id est last night
How strange
The owl chanteth!
How far, how far
Its cry did seem
And yet
It was so near!
How thrilled the tree
Below my lighted window
And in the night
The solemn night
The owl was still a-calling
To spirits wild
Perhaps
Or long white ghosts
Perhaps!
And in the eyes
Of the pale moon
The lake nearby glistened:
How white
How thin
The rays that fall
In midst of the dark waters!
And from the lake
A soundless sound
Is coming:
For in the waves
And from the waves
There comes a little gurgling
And in the night
In the long night
The owl is speaking, speaking!
Ah! this night – in the night
The people in the house
Are all a-sleeping
I – only I
The vigil, the night-vigil
Am making:
And I
And only I
Will my reward receive
For I
And only I
Am seeing
For I
And only I
Am hearing
And I
And only I
Am feeling!
How strange how sere
The feeling!
How from the clear night
The mist of sudden riseth!
And from afar
Past ten long fields
The cemetery is burning
With the pale light
Of the swift moon
That fall
On every wall
This long, long night!
It seems
It seems
That the cemetery’s open:
And yet
And yet
There is no noise
No sound
But from the yews
A soundless sound
Is coming:
A restless sound
Like souls
This night all-aching
And restless
Restless
At some thing
I am not hearing!
Ha! We on earth
Make prisons
And lodge
Bodies – human bodies in them:
And we on earth
Make cemeteries
And lodge
Bodies – human bodies in them
And the long night
Under the light
Of heaven
How waning-blue
And tight
Is coming!
So:
At long last
We fall into a prison
If not the one
In fine to the other
And at the last
And in the last
We enter our last prison:
And in the night
The long and lonely night
The cemetery is shining!
poem by Emmanuel George Cefai
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Silent Night
Silent night
Holy night
All is calm
All is bright
Round yon virgin
Mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night
Holy night
Son of god
Loves pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus lord at thy birth
Jesus lord at thy birth
Silent night
Holy night
Wondrous star
Led by light
With the angels
Let us sing
Hallelujah to our king
Christ the savior is born
Christ the savior is born
song performed by by Air Supply
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
O little town of bethlehem,
How still we see the lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee to-night.
For christ is born of mary,
And gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth!
And praises sing to God the king,
And peace to men on earth.
How silently, how silently,
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still
The dear christ enters in.
Where children pure and happy
Pray to the blessed child,
Where misery cries out to thee,
Son of the mother mild;
Where charity stands watching
And faith holds wide the door,
The dark night wakes, the glory breaks,
And christmas comes once more.
O holy child of bethlehem!
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us to-day.
We hear the christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our lord emmanuel!
song performed by by Dolly Parton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Wild Life
The world wild applies to the words you and me.
While take a walk thru an african park one day,
I saw a sign say, the animals have the right of way.
Wild life, whatever happened to,
Wild life, the animals in the zoo?
Were breathing a lot,
A lot of political nonsense in the air.
Youre making it hard for the people who live in there.
Youre moving so fast, but, baby, you know not where.
Wild life, (wild life), whats gonna happen to
Wild life, (wild life), the animals in the zoo?
Youd better stop, theres animals evrywhere,
And man is the top, an animal too,
And, man, you just got to care.
Wild life, whats gonna happen to,
Wild life, the animals in the zoo?
Youre breathing a lot of polical nonsense in the air.
Wild life, (wild life), whats gonna happen to
(whats gonna happen to) (whats gonna happen to)
Wild life, (wild life), the animals in the zoo?
(whats gonna happen to) (whats gonna happen to)
Wild life, what ever happened to?
What ever happened to?
song performed by by Paul McCartney
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Silent Night (feat. Cormac Breatnach & Martin Dunlea)
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born.
Silent night, holy night!
Silent night, holy night!
Son of God love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.
Silent night, holy night!
Silent night, holy night!
song performed by by Vanessa Williams
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Silent Night
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born.
Silent night, holy night!
Silent night, holy night!
Son of God love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.
Silent night, holy night!
Silent night, holy night!
song performed by by Vanessa Williams
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
The Greatest Gift
The greatest gift man has received, was from Heaven, and conceived,
In the very heart and mind of God, and delivered unto this earthly sod.
That gift to man was our Salvation, and given by God, to every nation,
That gift to all from our Creator, was Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
He is a Wonderful Counselor to us, who in The Savior place their trust,
Christ sends The Spirit to live inside, to be for us His Light and Guide,
In all problems, both big and small, Jesus assists us through them all,
A Wonderful Counselor in this life, is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Born a babe, yet He is Mighty God, and will rule men with an Iron Rod,
Until then, our Lord rules in hearts, through His Spirit which He imparts,
To all believers now born Again, as He gives eternal life to mortal men,
And He’s in control of everything, as Sovereign Lord and Eternal King.
He is The Everlasting Father for all, saved by Christ, from Adam’s fall,
His everlasting arms comfort us, mere creatures formed from the dust,
Now brought into God’s own family, and one that shall last for eternity,
And now children of the Father above, secured forever by God’s Love.
He is The Coming Prince of Peace, with a Kingdom that will not cease,
And the peace He puts in our heart, during times of trial will not depart,
When you believe make no mistake, all believers, God will not forsake,
For when you come to faith in Him, you’re forever forgiven of your sin.
So come to The Counselor friend, for wonderful guidance, with no end,
Lead by Christ with staff and rod, for our Shepherd is The Mighty God,
The Everlasting Father, for all those, who believe in The Lord who rose,
To be Prince of Peace in a millennium, and into an eternity yet to come.
(Copyright ©12/2008)
Silent Night Medley
O holy night the stars are brightly shining
This is the night of our dear saviors birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appeared and his soul felt its worth
At thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels voices
O night divine
O night when christ was born
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels voices
O night divine
O night when christ was born
O come o ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye o come ye to bethlehem
Come and behold him, born the king of angels
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him christ the lord.
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels voices
O night divine
O night when christ was born
Oh night divine o night o holy
Oh holy night
Oh holy night
Woah
Oh holy night
When jesus was born
Oh holy night
Oh holy night
Oh holy night
Oh holy night
Look at those stars in the sky
Oh holy night
Oh holy night
Oh holy night
Jesus was born tonight
Oh holy night
Oh holy night
Oh holy night
song performed by by Hanson
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Hymn 13
The Son of God incarnate.
Isa. 9:2,6,7.
The lands that long in darkness lay
Now have beheld a heav'nly light;
Nations that sat in death's cold shade
Are blessed with beams divinely bright.
The virgin's promised Son is born,
Behold th' expected child appear:
What shall his names or titles be?
"The Wonderful, the Counsellor."
[This infant is the mighty God,
Come to be suckled and adored;
Th' eternal Father, Prince of Peace,
The Son of David, and his Lord.]
The government of earth and seas
Upon his shoulders shall be laid;
His wide dominions still increase,
And honors to his name be paid.
Jesus, the holy child, shall sit
High on his father David's throne;
Shall crush his foes beneath his feet,
And reign to ages yet unknown.
poem by Isaac Watts
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Silent Night
Silent night
Holy night
All is calm
All is bright
Round your virgin
Mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night
Holy night
All is calm and bright
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing alleluia
Christ the savior is born
Christ the savior is born
Silent night
Holy night
Son of god
Loves pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the down of redeeming grace
Jesus, lord at thy birth
Jesus, lord at thy birth
song performed by by Carpenters
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
The book sealed with seven seals
I had a dream that I heard the voices
of uncountable angels, beings
and elders around the throne of the Almighty One
proclaiming that the lamb that was slain is worthy.
Their appearance was blindingly bright,
but the radiance of the Almighty God on His throne
and of His Son was so intense
that it wanted to burn my eyes
and I stood back
and the hour work started to ring off the last strikes.
When the Son of God
who died on the cross
opened the book that only He can,
He took the book
with His nail marked hands
and broke the first seal.
A being spoke with a voice
sounding like thunder: Come and look!
A white horse appeared
and the rider of it had a crown
and a bow en rode out to conquer
and the hour work started to ring off the last strikes.
A second being talking with lightning
that strikes out said: Come look!
When the Lamb broke the second seal
the head of a flaming red horse appeared
and the rider took a big sword,
to cause nobody to have peace
and the hour work started to ring off the last strikes.
A third being let thunder reverberate
come and look!
When the Son of man
reached His hand to the third seal
there was a pitch-black horse
and the rider took a scale in his hand
and a mighty voice said:
a measure of wheat for a coin
three measures of barley for a coin
and do not harm
the oil and wine
and the hour work started to ring off the last strikes.
A fourth being’s voice carried blue thunder sparks
when he said: come look!
When the Son that is God
opened the fourth seal there was a grey horse
and the rider was death and he rode away,
to kill a forth of the earth
and the weapons that he carried
were a sword, famine, incurable diseases
and ravaging animals
and the hour work started to ring off the last strikes.
Four riders past
and I wondered
what will be left of the world
and the people on it?
When the Messiah opened the fifth seal
the souls of the holy ones
under the altar,
who died for His word
as witnesses of Jesus Christ
with a mighty voice called out:
how long holy and true Ruler
before You judge our blood
on the people on earth?
To them was said
to wait a while more,
for others to fill their numbers
and the hour work started to ring off the last strikes.
When Christ opened the sixth seal
places on earth started shaking,
the sun was dark
and disappeared for a time,
the moon was red like blood
and the stars fell from the sky
and draw bright lines
as far as they fell
and I knew that I
was living in the last days
and the hour work started to ring off the last strikes.
l’Envoi
Today I wonder where I stand
in all of these things,
while shots of war
are roaring
and everyone lives only for himself,
and the might of God
falls on the earth
and the hour of His anger
almost touch the horizon
and the hour work has only minutes left.
[Reference: Revelation 5: 13-6: 17.]
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Christmas Morning
The angel host that sped last night,
Bearing the wondrous news afar,
Came in their ever-glorious flight
Unto a slumbering little star.
'Awake and sing, O star!' they cried.
'Awake and glorify the morn!
Herald the tidings far and wide--
He that shall lead His flock is born!'
The little star awoke and sung
As only stars in rapture may,
And presently where church bells hung
The joyous tidings found their way.
'Awake, O bells! 't is Christmas morn--
Awake and let thy music tell
To all mankind that now is born
What Shepherd loves His lambkins well!'
Then rang the bells as fled the night
O'er dreaming land and drowsing deep,
And coming with the morning light,
They called, my child, to you asleep.
Sweetly and tenderly they spoke,
And lingering round your little bed,
Their music pleaded till you woke,
And this is what their music said:
'Awake and sing! 'tis Christmas morn,
Whereon all earth salutes her King!
In Bethlehem is the Shepherd born.
Awake, O little lamb, and sing!'
So, dear my child, kneel at my feet,
And with those voices from above
Share thou this holy time with me,
The universal hymn of love.
poem by Eugene Field
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Silent Night (feat. The Grisgby Twins)
Silent night,holy night
All is calm, all is bright
'Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and loved
Sleep in havanly peace
Sleep in hevanly peace.
Silent night, holy night
Sheapards quake at the sight
Glories stream from Heaven afar
Hevanly ghosts sing Alleluia
Christ the savor is born
Christ the savor is born.
Silent night, holy night
Son of God, loves pure light
Radint beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jeasus, Lord at thy birth
Jeasus, Lord at thy birth.
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
'Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and loved
Sleep in havanly peace
Sleep in hevanly peace...
song performed by by Kenny Chesney
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Silent Night, Holy Night
Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright.
Proud young virgin mother and child. Holy infant so tender and mild.
Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night. Shepherds wake at the sight.
Glorious dreams from heaven above. Heavenly hosts sing "Hallelujah."
"Christ the savior is born, Christ the savior is born."
Silent night, holy night. Son of God, love's pure light.
Radiant beams from thy holy face with the dawn of breathing in grace.
Jesus Lord of thy herd, Jesus Lord of thy herd.
Hmmmm, hmmmm. Hmmmm, hmmmm.
Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.
song performed by by John Denver
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Animal Farm
This world is big and wild and half insane
Take me where real animals are playing
Just a dirty old shack
Where the hound dogs bark
That we called our home
I want to be back there
Among the cats and dogs
And the pigs and the goats
On animal farm
My animal home
On animal farm
My animal home
While I lay my head upon my pillow
Little girl, come play beneath my window
Though shes far from home
She is free from harm
And she need not fear
She is by my side
And the sky is wide
So let the sun shine bright
On animal farm
My animal home
On animal farm
My animal home
Girl, its a hard, hard world, if it gets you down
Dreams often fade and die in a bad, bad world
Ill take you where real animals are playing
And people are real people not just playing
Its a quiet, quiet life
By a dirty old shack
That we called our home
I want to be back there
Among the cats and dogs
And the pigs and the goats
On animal farm
My animal home
On animal farm
My animal home
On animal farm
Animal farm
song performed by by Kinks
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!