A Journey To Bethlehem

On a bleak and frosty night Vexed and weary two travellers rode Along the pathways-craggy and ragged From Nazareth, trudging miles on end Full pregnant, was she with child Mary -the Virgin, suffused with Spirit Holy Divinely ordained to bear the Godly Prince Conceived before, she had known her spouse. Abiding in Heaven’s Providence n’ care They had rode past miles behind Far too fatigued by the trip Mary, now badly needed a place to rest. Heading towards the blinking lights Not far from the city’s guarded gate Joseph sighted a tavern-small Perched high on a tiny hill A sense of relief beamed past They have come at last to the journey’s end Finally found a place to rest! An interim home away from home Tethering the donkey outside the gate Joseph helped Mary alight the brute In eager search, he hurried inside With Mary, following with faltering steps. But the couple, to their dismay found Within the tavern, room, there was none For many a man had gathered round To halt there on that freezing night Sundry folk from surrounding lands Had reached Bethlehem for the yearly census Tradesmen selling clothes and cheese Nomads of varying clans and clime Petulant camels, braying donkeys The place was littered with man and beast. The tavern small, so packed to full Had no more space to harbour the crowd Mary and Joseph, though dejected, Were encamped within a manger- warm With tender concern, Joseph joked, To ease the strain on Mary’s face “Gaze upon this palace of gold Where a son shall soon be born to us”! Mary smiled a gentle smile, Humoured by her husband’s jest Under the gaze of tethered hosts In veiled privacy of the midnight gloom She gave birth to a radiant child, The great Redeemer to all Mankind The star studded sky suddenly glowed With a rare brilliance never beheld And a celestial voice trailed along Delivering ‘tidings of joy’ to the globe around!