The Christmas stars seem close tonight,
And I imagine glory-light
That slowly crosses eastern sky,
While angels hover heaven-high,
Waiting with soft wings unfurled to tell the world
Of a baby in a manger bed;
A halo circling His head —
Promise wrapped in swaddling clothes,
The prophecy a mother knows.
Joseph’s husky lullaby to arrest a possible baby—cry.
Shepherd’s campfires burning low,
Dark hillsides suddenly aglow.
A rush of wings on midnight wind
As praising angel hosts descend
With news they’ve waited long to tell:
The Christ is born,
Emmanuel!
Amazed innkeeper on his knees,
Awestruck now that he believes,
And messengers, their tidings done
Fly home again to the Holy One.
Small lambs warn the infant’s feet,
Newborn earth child with God’s heartbeat.