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Bethlehem Song


Bethlehem Song

O little town of Bethlehem
how still we see thee lie

Slingshots sing a sorry hymn o’er Bethlehem’s fields,
sheep shudder at the mournful whine of mortar music.
Souvenir shops stand empty with hosts of silent angels,
Nativity Church in Manger Square looms in loneliness.
The Eye of the Needle is closed to worshipers,
and Rachel’s Tomb is soldiered against prayer.

Above thy deep and dreamless streets
the silent stars go by

An aching sun will rise o’er rubbled streets,
anxious women hurrying early to the well.
The men labor repairing ravage from the night,
and children gather rocks before the school bell.
Shepherds calm frightened flocks in their fields
while sandbags are stacked against blue doors.

Yet in thy dark streets shineth
the everlasting Light

Candles of conciliation sputter hopefully,
healers of hurts work long and feverishly,
the faithful gather quietly in dark homes to pray.
Warm bread is baking in Bethlehem –
the house of bread –
and we long for the coming of the Prince of Peace.

The hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.

by Joyce Carr Stedelbauer


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FURTHER READING

Our Christmas Section

More Christmas Poems

The Streets of Bethlehem by Katy Kauffman

The Innkeeper

Annunciation Day

The Angel Gabriel

The Wisemen