The Stable

The Stable

Twas a night that showed no sign

Of being any different from a hundred

nights before,

And peace was not the order of the day.

It was a long, exhausting trip, 

But little choice was given when it came

To matters of tax to pay.

The winding road had been a crowded

thoroughfare

And little courtesy was shown the two

young travelers

Who often fell behind the pace,

And when at last the many paths converged

Outside the city gate,

Exhaustion and the pain of pending birth

Showed all too clearly on the woman's face.

A room - a place of rest and solitude -

Was all that mattered now.

All else would hold

A few more hours before the secret they

had shared.

These many months would in the very sky

be told.

But with each knock, each door that closed

The truth became more clear.

There was no room, Dear God, no room.

The young man hid his growing fear.

As in that moment doubt that seemed

So, long ago resolved

Cast shadows on his face,

He thought, "If this is really

God's own Son,

Why is there not reserved a place?"

"A place" - the words cut through

his doubt.

"Behind the inn - a barn."

It was the keeper's voice.

One look at Mary's face dispelled

all other thoughts;

He knew it was the only choice.

The only choice? Nay, God's own plan,

That in this way His own Son came,

Twas no misfortune, for in stooping

from His throne.

He knew the world would never be the same.

As in that humble stall God's presence

Came to dwell that night,

The hay, the stable smells,

The beasts themselves

Turned somehow gentle in that light.

So from the stable that same Light

still shines

Across all time and years,

And sheds a glow that even

in the darkness

Calms our fears.

Where we too find a refuge and can lay

Our earthly cares aside,

As in that humbleness of heart

God sends, still now

His presence to abide.

It is a world that shows no sign

Of being any different from

2,000 years before.

While it seeks peace through conflict,

May you seek - peace -

And find it - at the stable door.

Written by Judith C. Braddy

Submitted by Debbie Thompson