One Christmas Day

Stars above while sheep are sleeping – dark is the night.
Birth is near and pain is seeping – long is the night.
All alone, no one to guide her
Joseph, cows and lambs beside her
Rising stars and shadows hide her – longing for light.

Mary holding Jesus to her – come has the day
Guarding him from every danger – there in the hay.
This first day just like his last one
Held with love and grace by someone
Lifted up to face the bright sun – long is the day.

Sunset brings the Shepherds closer – wanting to hear
Mary welcomes lost ones to him – drawing them near
Good news comes from strangest places
Fills the world and empty spaces
Strangers gather where the grace is – nothing to fear.

I wrote this hymn as a response to the absence of any songs that reflected upon the birthing experience of Mary in Bethlehem and relating it to the statue of Mary and Jesus in the Pietta.