by Cathy MacAdam
2008
Bethlehem was there tonight
There in church with candlelight
And not the crèche but all around
Enacted again was that ancient night
And we were rich and poor and full
And empty and broken and loved and not
Outside were all the other ones
Just like on the Christmas night
And chances are the moon and stars
Were quietly praying for the birth
Of a world still trying to catch its tail
In search of that Perfect Light
Somewhere there was Jesus
And I know he touched and was touched
He was one of the many standing
Unrecognized and simply there
If I had touched each hand tonight...
Would I have known His hand
If I had seen each person’s face
And shown them mine
Would I have felt a peace and grace
That I have never known
My eyes were on a lithe young girl
In white robe and swinging braid
With fire and healing in her soul
And a flame in her precious eyes
As she lit my candle and my heart
I heard Jesus quietly smile
He touched me for the countless time
As she said, I love you Mom
Tonight I am blessed
And full of love and still...
Peace is pricked by a world of need
And what I have not done that I could do
Lay waiting all about my bed,
My door, my street and more
There are promises to make and keep
And choices at my feet
I pray each step is pulled by God to
What I need to make
With what is here and what has come
Standing at the swinging gate