The Light

when i first saw it
i didn't know
what it was
it was just
hanging there
bright
pulsing with its own
inner light

i watched it grow
ever brighter
with each night
like a song
in crescendo
gaining voices
and power

every night
i looked for it
until it became
so bright
it could not
be missed or ignored
this star
that seemed
to grow
into a tiny sun

the sheep i care for
and nearby shepherds
seemed not
to notice
they all slept
as always
dreaming whatever
dreams sheep
and idle shepherds
may dream

but i kept watch
and i kept wondering
unable to sleep
under the light
of the new star

but all of that
was before
before last night
last night
the whole world
and everything
in it
changed forever

last night
the brilliant star
came right down close
and then it exploded
into perfect daylight
and there were voices
and singing
and music
from heaven

an angel
bright and terrifying
stood before us
and spoke
with the voice
of thunders
that sounded
somehow gentle
like a summer rain

tonight
he said
in the city of david
a savior is born
and you will go
to see him

then all the stars
of heaven
and of all the heavens
beyond
began to sing
rejoicing
in celebration
hallelujah
they said
glory to god
in the highest

and so we ran
going into bethlehem
searching
looking everywhere
until we found
the stable
and there we saw him
just as the angel
had said

i wept
to see such things
my angry heart
within me
melted into joy
and wonder
to believe
such things
the messiah of God
has come down
to earth
and to crude men
such as i

now
each night
i look up
into the heavens
beyond the stars
to give thanks
to God
for the marvelous light
that has come
into the world
of ordinary people
to give us hope
and to save
the children of men

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