THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the town,
Our Lady was waiting, so meek and so
mild,
The children were nestled, each snug in
their beds,
When even the inkeeper sent them away,
He thought of the caves in the side of
the hills,
The moon on the brest of the new fallen
snow,
And there in a cave, in a cradle of hay,
The Father was watching in heaven above,
More rapid than eagles God's bright
angels came;
Come Power, Come Cherubs, Come Virtues, Come Raphael,
Now fly to the Earth, where My poor
people live,
The Shepherds were watching their flocks on this night,
The Angels assured them, they'd nothing
to fear,
They hastened to find Him, and stood at
the door,
He was swaddled in bands from His head to His feet,
He spoke not a word, but the shepherds
all knew,
Then softly they left Him, The Babe in
the hay,
Mary heard them exclaim as they walked up the hill,
St. Joseph was searching,
walking up roads and down;
While Joseph was seeking a place for the Child;
The grown-ups wouldn't
bother, there's no room they said;
Joseph was wondering, where they would stay;
Lets go there said Mary, it's
silent and still;
Made pathways of light for
their tired feet to go;
Our Saviour was born on that first Christmas Day!
He sent for His angels, His
couriers of love;
Rejoicing and eager as each heard his name;
Come Thrones and Dominions, come Michael and Gabriel;
Announce the glad tiding My Son comes to give;
And saw in the heavens and unearthly light;
It's Christmas they said, the
Saviour is here!
Till Mary invited them into
adore;
Never did the Shepherds see a baby so sweet!
He was telling them secrets and blessing them too;
And rejoiced with great joy
on that first Christmas Day;
Glory to God in the Highest,
Peace to men of good will!