So, the bible falls shut
And I close my eyes
Soon I can see them, feel them
In a dream of first Christmas.

As night’s blackness surrounds me
I see the brightness of one star
The glistening gold on a silhouetted king.

I hear quietness across velvet hillsides
As the darkness of this world descends
Angels suddenly proclaim the arrival
Of the precious new-born lamb.

Inside the stable in awesome stillness
Amongst the rough and crude straw
The heavenly babe innocently sleeps.

Kneeling humbly beside him
Shepherds bow heads in adoration
With fresh new hope for this world
Bursting from their triumphant minds.

I witness the start of a pilgrimage
From the wood of a manger
To the wood of the cross.

I feel the joy of his mother Mary
Her fixed gaze never leaves her son
But sadly, I have read the script
And I, not wanting to acknowledge
How her tears of happiness
Will turn to those of sorrow.

Before her a gift from the father
Like no other could give.

Soon I awake from my dream
I can no longer see them.

In my dream was the vividness
Of that first Christmas night.

Now it is written on my heart
Having unwrapped the everlasting present
And experienced the comfort of a child
In God’s enfolding arms.

So, the bible falls open
And I ,with eyes willing to see
Read the word and its ending
From the wood of a manger
To the wood of the cross
And beyond, towards a promise of eternity.