Now listen well, my children, as I tell the Christmas Story
A sordid but inspiring tale that somehow ends in Glory.
There was a lowly peasant girl waiting to be wed
No doubt with some romantic thoughts about her marriage bed!
She then found she was pregnant and she couldn’t name the dad
All her friends and family assumed that she’d been bad!
She told them all a story - how an angel came at night
And with his awesome presence the room was filled with light.
He told her she was pregnant and her son would surely be
The true salvation of the world, who’d set all people free.
She’d told him this was nonsense as she was a virgin still.
He smiled and told her not to fear, as this was Heaven’s will.
And in that magic moment the spirit moved in power
And Mary knew she’d have a son conceived within that hour.
She told them that her cousin would have a son as well.
As Elizabeth was barren their reaction you can tell!
For sure no one believed her – they laughed right in her face
And sent her to her cousin’s house to hide her big disgrace.
But then the story changes for her cousin leapt for joy,
For she had had a dream regarding Mary’s baby boy.
There was still a bigger problem for Joseph had to know
And for a proud and upright man this would be a blow!
The man was justly angry and could not understand
How his true beloved could be so underhand.
He had some trouble sleeping as he pondered what to do
But then he had a visit from that mighty angel too!
He was told that Mary’s baby was a joy to all the earth
And that he should protect her for all that he was worth.
He took her to his birthplace as the Roman law required
So they could be counted. by the tellers Caesar hired.
There was no place to stay in as the little town was full
And for accommodation they had no special pull.
They camped out in a cow shed with all it’s muck and grime
And that was where the boy was born that Holy Christmas time.
There is no recollection of the pain there must have been
Nor none describe the anguish of that squalid birthday scene.
But yet we know that somehow when the birthing pains were done
They could be quite happy that God’s purpose had begun.
The Angel gathered shepherds from the fields above the town
And called them in to witness that strange king without a crown.
Then they guided Magi over many weary miles
To give this king their presents with payment of his smiles.
They had to flee the country to avoid a murderous plot
And wait till Mary’s scandal had been quite forgot.
The boy would grow up safely and the plot would be unfurled
He’d fulfil his destiny as the saviour of the world.
So as you eat your dinner with your presents all around
Spare a thought for Jesus and where he may be found.
Not in the lap of luxury that belongs to you and me
But in the muck and squalor so that all men may be free.
