The Dawn of Christ's Nativity [sonnet]
This starry dawn – the wise men yet afar –
the shepherds are abed, their night’s task done.
Is Mary tired? Or, as one untouched?
All birth’s a miracle; no less this one.
The cattle have bestirred at hint of morn,
the thought of feeding making moist their muzzle;
straw is rustling as they, manger-drawn,
find unfamiliar form – so warm – to nuzzle.
What were the first words Joseph softly said
to Mary, as dawn broke, this day of days?
And who, sent from the inn to cattle-shed,
to feed and lay fresh straw, fell still in praise?
How long, this morn, before the murmured sound
of voices in the street, as Word gets round?
poem by Michael Shepherd
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
On the Morning of Christ's Nativity
This starry dawn - the wise men yet afar -
the shepherds are abed, their night's task done.
Is Mary tired? Or, as one untouched?
All birth's a miracle; not less this one.
The cattle have bestirred at hint of morn,
the thought of feeding making moist their muzzle;
straw is rustling, as they, manger-drawn,
find unfamiliar form- so warm - to nuzzle.
What were the first words Joseph softly said
to Mary, as dawn broke, this day of days?
And who, sent from the inn to cattle-shed
to feed and lay fresh straw, fell still in praise?
How long, this morn, before the murmured sound
of voices in the street, as Word gets round?
poem by Michael Shepherd
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Sonnet on the Morning of Christ's Birth
This starry dawn – the wise men yet afar –
the shepherds are abed, their night’s task done.
Is Mary tired? Or, as one untouched?
All birth’s a miracle; no less this one.
The cattle have bestirred at hint of morn,
the thought of feeding making moist their muzzle;
straw is rustling as they, manger-drawn,
find unfamiliar form – so warm – to nuzzle.
What were the first words Joseph softly said
to Mary, as dawn broke, this day of days?
And who, sent from the inn to cattle-shed,
to feed and lay fresh straw, fell still in praise?
How long, this morn, before the murmured sound
of voices in the street, as Word gets round?
poem by Michael Shepherd
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
0039 On the Morning of Christ's Nativity
This starry dawn - the wise men yet afar -
the shepherds are abed, their night's task done.
Is Mary tired? Or, as one untouched?
All birth's a miracle; not less this one.
The cattle have bestirred at hint of morn,
the thought of feeding making moist their muzzle;
straw is rustling, as they, manger-drawn,
find unfamiliar form- so warm - to nuzzle.
What were the first words Joseph softly said
to Mary, as dawn broke, this day of days?
And who, sent from the inn to cattle-shed
to feed and lay fresh straw, fell still in praise?
How long, this morn, before the murmured sound
of voices in the street, as Word gets round?
poem by Michael Shepherd
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
On the Dawn of Christ's Nativity [sonnet]
This starry dawn – the wise men yet afar –
the shepherds are abed, their night’s task done.
Is Mary tired? Or, as one untouched?
All birth’s a miracle; no less this one.
The cattle have bestirred at hint of morn,
the thought of feeding making moist their muzzle;
straw is rustling as they, manger-drawn,
find unfamiliar form – so warm – to nuzzle.
What were the first words Joseph softly said
to Mary, as dawn broke, this day of days?
And who, sent from the inn to cattle-shed,
to feed and lay fresh straw, fell still in praise?
How long, this morn, before the murmured sound
of voices in the street, as Word gets round?
poem by Michael Shepherd
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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0031 Dawn in Bethlehem on the Morning of Christ's Nativity
This starry dawn - the wise men yet afar -
the shepherds are abed, their night's task done.
Is Mary tired? Or, as one untouched?
All birth's a miracle; not less this one.
The cattle have bestirred at hint of morn,
the thought of feeding making moist their muzzle;
straw is rustling, as they, manger-drawn,
find unfamiliar form- so warm - to nuzzle.
What were the first words Joseph softly said
to Mary, as dawn broke, this day of days?
And who, sent from the inn to cattle-shed
to feed and lay fresh straw, fell still in praise?
How long, this morn, before the murmured sound
of voices in the street, as Word gets round?
(revisited)
poem by Michael Shepherd
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Mary Had A Little Lamb
Mary had a little lamb
One holy morning
'Neath the star of Bethlehem
A brand new day was forming
Guided by the shining light
And the angel's voice
Wise men traveled through the night
To see the baby boy
'Cause Mary had a little lamb
King of kings and son of man
Mary had a little lamb of God
They gathered 'round to see the lamb
In the manger sleeping
Such a humble throne for Him
The promise God was keeping
There the shepards bowed their heads
Among the cattle lowing
The first ever Christmas gift
Was wrapped in swaddling clothes
Mary had a little lamb
King of kings and son of man
Mary had a little lamb of God
For the world a sacrifice
Mary did give birth
The way she held him in her arms
Is how He holds the earth
Mary had a little lamb
King of kings and son of man
Mary had a little lamb of God
Mary had a little lamb
King of kings and son of man
Mary had a little lamb of God
Oh, Mary had a little lamb
King of kings and son of man
Mary had a little lamb of God
song performed by by Garth Brooks
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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To Mary in Heaven
I.
I met thee first in May, Mary!
The flower-crowned month of May;
But now thou art away, Mary!
Away from me—away!
Thou wert that all to me, Mary!
That all on earth to me,
That I will be to thee, Mary!
In Heaven above to thee.
II.
Ah! then thine eyes were mild, Mary!
Thy deep blue eyes were mild;
For thou wert then a child, Mary!
And I another child.
Thou wert that all to me, Mary!
That all on earth to me,
That I will be to thee, Mary!
In Heaven above to thee.
III.
Thy face was then so meek, Mary!
So saintly mild, so meek,
Thy lily-form seemed weak, Mary!
And mine for thine grew weak
For thou wert that to me, Mary!
That all on earth to me,
That I will be to thee, Mary!
In Heaven above to thee.
IV.
You led me through the meads, Mary!
The flower-enameled meads,
By brooks of rustling reeds, Mary!
By brooks of rustling reeds—
Where thou wert that to me, Mary!
That all on earth to me,
That I will be to thee, Mary!
In Heaven above to thee.
V.
Wherever you then went, Mary!
No matter where you went—
I followed with content, Mary!
Because you were content.
For thou wert that to me, Mary!
That all on earth to me,
That I will be to thee, Mary!
In Heaven above to thee.
VI.
I recollect the morn, Mary!
The beautiful May-Morn,
Beside the Field of Corn, Mary!
The rustling reeds of Corn—
That thou wert that to me, Mary!
That all on earth to me,
That I will be to thee, Mary!
In Heaven above to thee.
VII.
Ah! then I took thy hand, Mary!
Thy lily snow-white hand;
And walked along the sand, Mary!
The milk-white road of sand.
For thou wert that to me, Mary!
That all on earth to me,
That I will be to thee, Mary!
In Heaven above to thee.
VIII.
I caught thee round the waist, Mary!
The slender Sylph-like waist,
And felt my heart beat fast, Mary!
Because thine own beat fast.
For thou wert that to me, Mary!
That all on earth to me,
That I will be to thee, Mary!
In Heaven above to thee.
IX.
Such words fell from thy tongue, Mary!
Such sweet words from thy tongue,
That when you talked you sung, Mary!
You never talked but sung.
Then thou wert that to me, Mary!
That all on earth to me,
That I will be to thee, Mary!
In Heaven above to thee.
X.
Thus through the month of May, Mary!
The flower-crowned month of May,
We, courting, went to play, Mary!
And courted in our play.
The years were then to me, Mary!
As hours are now to me;
As time is now to thee, Mary!
In Heaven above to thee.
XI.
For Love knows nought of years, Mary!
Love nothing knows of years;
And sheds no bitter tears, Mary!
Time measured is by tears.
Thus thou wert that to me, Mary!
That all on earth to me,
That I will be to thee, Mary!
In Heaven above to thee.
XII.
What thou art now above, Mary!
I was, as if above;
For Heaven is made of love, Mary!
And I was full of love.
For thou wert that to me, Mary!
That all on earth to me,
That I will be to thee, Mary!
In Heaven above to thee.
XIII.
But now these days are gone, Mary!
These halcyon days are gone!
And I am left alone, Mary!
Alone on earth-- alone!
What would I give to see, Mary!
Thy precious form to see?
All thou wouldst give to be, Mary!
In this dark world with me.
poem by Thomas Holley Chivers from Eonchs of Ruby (1851)
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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A Christmas Carol
THREE DAMSELS in the queen’s chamber,
The queen’s mouth was most fair;
She spake a word of God’s mother
As the combs went in her hair.
Mary that is of might,
Bring us to thy Son’s sight.
They held the gold combs out from her,
A span’s length off her head;
She sang this song of God’s mother
And of her bearing-bed.
Mary most full of grace,
Bring us to thy Son’s face.
When she sat at Joseph’s hand,
She looked against her side;
And either way from the short silk band
Her girdle was all wried.
Mary that all good may,
Bring us to thy Son’s way.
Mary had three women for her bed,
The twain were maidens clean;
The first of them had white and red,
The third had riven green.
Mary that is so sweet,
Bring us to thy Son’s feet.
She had three women for her hair,
Two were gloved soft and shod;
The third had feet and fingers bare,
She was the likest God.
Mary that wieldeth land,
Bring us to thy Son’s hand.
She had three women for her ease,
The twain were good women:
The first two were the two Maries,
The third was Magdalen.
Mary that perfect is,
Bring us to thy Son’s kiss.
Joseph had three workmen in his stall,
To serve him well upon;
The first of them were Peter and Paul,
The third of them was John.
Mary, God’s handmaiden,
Bring us to thy Son’s ken.
“If your child be none other man’s,
But if it be very mine,
The bedstead shall be gold two spans,
The bedfoot silver fine.”
Mary that made God mirth,
Bring us to thy Son’s birth.
“If the child be some other man’s,
And if it be none of mine,
The manger shall be straw two spans,
Betwixen kine and kine.”
Mary that made sin cease,
Bring us to thy Son’s peace.
Christ was born upon this wise,
It fell on such a night,
Neither with sounds of psalteries,
Nor with fire for light.
Mary that is God’s spouse,
Bring us to thy Son’s house.
The star came out upon the east
With a great sound and sweet:
Kings gave gold to make him feast
And myrrh for him to eat.
Mary, of thy sweet mood,
Bring us to thy Son’s good.
He had two handmaids at his head,
One handmaid at his feet;
The twain of them were fair and red,
The third one was right sweet.
Mary that is most wise,
Bring us to thy Son’s eyes. Amen.
poem by Algernon Charles Swinburne
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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A Gift To Earth
One baby boy, was his Mother’s joy,
Cradled, warm upon her knee.
The Holy birth, was a gift to earth,
A Saviour for you and me.
A tiny life, knowing yet, no strife,
Was now waiting to begin.
He came to save, and therefore forgave,
Our vast multitudes of sin.
Some shepherds they heard what had occurred,
And followed a Star post haste.
Three wise men too, on their camels, knew
This new King had to be traced.
Rough the cattle stall, with mud brick wall,
Crude built manger filled with straw.
This special child, so gentle and mild,
Was a Lord we could adore.
So this babe, so small, did thus enthral,
All those who knelt down to pray.
He’s become our guide, Christ glorified,
Still here in our hearts today.
poem by Ernestine Northover
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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God Rest Ye Merry, Gentleman
God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
In Bethlehem, in Israel,
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
From God our Heavenly Father
A blessed Angel came;
And unto certain Shepherds
Brought tidings of the same:
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by Name.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
"Fear not then," said the Angel,
"Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Saviour
Of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan's power and might."
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm and wind:
And went to Bethlehem straightway
The Son of God to find.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
And when they came to Bethlehem
Where our dear Saviour lay,
They found Him in a manger,
Where oxen feed on hay;
His Mother Mary kneeling down,
Unto the Lord did pray.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood-aca
song performed by by Carly Simon
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Baby Jesus Is Born
Tell the children of abraham
Theres a star over bethlehem
And the light in the manger
Come a christmas morn
When baby jesus is born
Angel came to mary
Said, Im tellin? you
The light of this world
Is shinin? inside of you
His sweet forgiveness
Gonna set men free
The lame will walk
And the blind will see
Tell the children of abraham
Theres a star over bethlehem
And the light in the manger
Come a christmas morn
When baby jesus is born
Wise men following a holy light
Shepherds heard singing
In the midnight sky
And they all came a runnin?
Through the stable door
The meek and the mighty
The rich and the poor
Tell the children of abraham
Theres a star over bethlehem
And the light in the manger
Come a christmas morn
When baby jesus is born
Baby jesus is born
song performed by by Garth Brooks
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Bethlehem In Birmingham
Christmas Eve in Birmingham
It's a long, long way from Bethlehem
Mary and Joe live outside of town
On an old, run-down farm
Mary says, Joe, you'd better get the car
My contractions ain't that far apart
But that Falcon stalled after sixty yards
Out behind the barn
So away to the stables go Mary and Joe
Now, it's not much shelter, but it keeps them from the cold
Mary's hurtin', Joe prays to God for a helping hand
They need a Bethlehem miracle tonight in Birmingham
A kerosene lantern is the only light
Joe says, Mary, don't give up the fight
She's gonna keep pushin' till the baby cries
If it takes her last breath
And as the dawn begins to break
Across the fields, valleys and the lakes
A baby's cry greets the light of day
Merry Christmas and God bless
So away in the stables lay Mary, the baby and Joe
It's not much shelter, but it keeps them from the cold
Mary's cradles her baby, Joe thanks God for the helping hand
There was a Bethlehem miracle last night in Birmingham
A Bethlehem miracle last night in Birmingham
song performed by by Toby Keith
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Mary's Boy Child
Long time ago in Bethlehem
So the Holy Bible say
Mary's Boy Child, Jesus Christ
Was born on Christmas Day
Hark, now hear the angels sing
"New King's born today
And man will live forevermore
Because of Christmas Day."
Joseph and his wife Mary
Came to Bethlehem that night
They found no place to bear her Child
Not a single room in sight
Trumpets sound and angels sing
Listen to what they say
That man will live forevermore
Because of Christmas Day
By and by they found a little nook
In a stable all forlorn
And in a manger cold and dark
Mary's little Boy was born
Hark, now hear the angels sing,
"New King's born today
And man will live forevermore
Because of Christmas Day."
Trumpets sound and angels sing
Listen to what they say
That man will live forevermore
Because of Christmas Day
Because of Christmas Day
O Holy night the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine!
O night when Christ was born
O night divine!
O night, O night divine!
O night, hear the angel sing
That man will live forevermore
Because of Christmas Day
That man will live forevermore
Because of Christmas Day
song performed by by Vanessa Williams
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Birth Of The King
Sages have come from far
Following one bright star
Telling us where thou art
From heaven the King of kings,
Lord is the word he brings
Praise of the Nazarene
The angels will sing.
Chorus:
Jesus, born unto Mary in Bethlehem
The angels herald the pietas in
The magi, ardent wouldn't tarry to find him,
Enshrine him, glorify him.
Frankincense, gold and myrrh
Honor the Savior's birth
The highest praise on earth
The angels will sing of Him,
The trinity begins
Voices will ring, Amen
The birth of the King.
Chorus Two:
Jesus, Joseph and Mary of Israel,
Isiah's miracle augured befell
The coming of Christ as the star
From the East will tell
The first noel our Load Emmanuel.
Sages have come from far
Following one bright star
Telling us who thou art
From heaven the king of kings,
Lord is the word he brings
Praise of the Nazarene,
The angels will sing
Of the birth of the King.
The angels will sing of
The birth of the King.
(The angels will sing of
The birth of the king)... (x8)
song performed by by Clint Black
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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0075 The events of 12.25
the stable door shakes in the cold night wind;
the cattle snort and snuffle in the straw;
by city wall the lanterns glint on steel;
what will become of Mary's child this year?
for are we sure that miracles stay true -
if lost to mind, to heart, to memory?
will Herod have the last laugh, one year soon?
wise men and shepherds miss the heavenly?
will children fail to sense, soon, in the light
that glints on tinsel and bright packages,
the holy present in the gift's delight;
nor sense the angels' textless messages?
this baby, gift-wrapped in its shawl and stall
just may be - may still be - the Lord of All?
revisited
poem by Michael Shepherd
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Birth Of The King
Verse one
Sages have come from far following one bright star
Telling us where thou art from heaven
The king of kings, lord is the word he brings
Praise of the nazarene the angels will sing
Chorus
Jesus born unto mary in bethlehem
The angels herald the pietas in the magi,
Ardent wouldnt tarry to find him,
Enshrine him, glorify him
Verse two
Frankincense, gold and myrrh honor the saviors birth
The highest praise on earth
The angels will sing of him, the trinity begins
Voices will ring, amen the birth of the king
Chorus two
Jesus, joseph and mary of israel, isiahs
Miracle augured befell
The coming of christ as the star from the east will tell
The first noel our load emmanuel
Verse three
Sages have come from far following one bright star
Telling us who thou art from heaven
The king of kings, lord is the word he brings
Praise of the nazarene, the angels will sing
Of the birth of the king
The angels will sing of the birth of the king
The angels will sing of the birth of the king
song performed by by Clint Black
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The First Christmas
A clear bright star shone night and day
to guide the seekers on their way.
A child was to be born of heavenly love
sent from the Almighty up above.
A man and woman journeyed all the day
to the town where they wanted to stay.
She was expecting her baby very soon
and they must arrive before the moon.
She rode as he pulled the donkey along,
but the journey was taking far too long.
It was dark when they finally got to town
and no Inns were left to bed Mary down.
The pains of birth were coming her way
and somewhere was needed without delay.
A bed of straw was offered in a nearby stable,
which made Joseph and Mary very grateful.
The animal’s closeness kept the stable warm
and during the night the baby Jesus was born.
All kinds of people came from near and wide
to celebrate the first ever Christmas Tide.
poem by Orlando Belo
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Shepherds in Judea
Oh, the Shepherds in Judea,
They are pacing to and fro.
For the air grows chill at twilight
And the weanling lambs are slow!
Leave, O lambs, the dripping sedges, quit the bramble and the brier,
Leave the fields of barley stubble, for we light the watching fire;
Twinkling fires across the twilight, and a bitter watch to keep,
Lest the prowlers come a-thieving where the flocks unguarded sleep.
Oh, the Shepherds in Judea,
They are singing soft and low—
Song the blessed angels taught them
All the centuries ago!
There was never roof to hide them, there were never walls to bind;
Stark they lie beneath the star-beams, whom the blessed angels find,
With the huddled flocks upstarting, wondering if they hear aright.
While the Kings come riding, riding, solemn shadows in the night.
Oh, the Shepherds in Judea,
They are thinking, as they go,
Of the light that broke their watching
On the hillside in the snow!—
Scattered snow along the hillside, white as springtime fleeces are,
With the whiter wings above them and the glory-streaming star—
Guiding-star across the housetops; never fear the Shepherds felt
Till they found the Babe in manger where the kindly cattle knelt.
Oh, the Shepherds in Judea!—
Do you think the Shepherds know
How the whole round earth is brightened
In the ruddy Christmas glow?
How the sighs are lost in laughter, and the laughter brings the tears,
As the thoughts of men go seeking back across the darkling years
Till they find the wayside stable that the star-led Wise Men found,
With the Shepherds, mute, adoring, and the glory shining round!
poem by Mary Austin
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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The Camels Heart
You come to me with teardrops in your eyes
Expecting me to listen to your lies
You want me to forget and to forgive
Enough, enough, this aint no way to live
I know you wonder why Id leave like this
After all the hurt Ive put up with
This is the last time, this is the last straw
Too late, too late now its your time to crawl
Chorus:
Shes just the straw that broke the camels heart
Its not her fault, its yours we fell apart
No more, Im done, I want a brand new start
(its) shes just the straw that broke the camels heart
Ive been grasping at straws for much too long
This aint the first time you have done me wrong
This time you drew the short end of the straw
The game is over, you have lost it all
Repeat chorus
Shes just the straw that broke the camels heart
song performed by by Dolly Parton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Mary, Mary
Words and music by michael nesmith
Mary, mary, where you goin to?
Mary, mary, can I go too.
This one thing I will vow ya,
Id rather die than to live without ya.
Mary, mary, where you goin to?
Mary, mary, tell me truly
What did I do to make you leave me.
Whatever it was I didnt mean to,
You know I never would try and hurt ya.
Mary, mary, where you goin to?
What more, mary, can I do
To prove my love is truly yours?
Ive done more now than a clear-thinkin man would do.
Mary, mary, its not over.
Where you go, I will follow.
til I win your love again
And walk beside you,
But until then.
Mary, mary, where you goin to?
Mary, mary, where you goin to?
Mary, where you goin to?
Mary, mary, mary, mary, mary, where you goin to?
[repeat adlib]
song performed by by Monkees
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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