Christmas
A Sonnet by George K. Johnson (1920-2007)
(2006)
The night’s still chill echoed an Infant’s wail.
Near, bedded livestock stirred, shadows that pale
Lamplight cast large on roughhewn beams and wall.
A mother’s comfort murmured from a stall.
So was a Child born humbly on that night
A star hung low at Bethlehem, its light
A silent beacon wise men’s eyes would scan
That here in swaddling clothes lay God made man.
Were this but fable, would it yet be told?
Tales more heroic have long since grown old.
What then the magic of this manger birth
If not its truth of Savior’s grace on earth?
That beacon star still guides our halting way.
Hope’s gleam was born in us that Christmas day.
Christmas
A Sonnet by George K. Johnson, (1920-2007)
(2005)
How still a night it was when infant's wail
First heralded the coming of our Lord.
How right that angels firstly told His tale
To shepherds trembling at the holy word.
These caring for their flocks hastened to find
This newborn Christ, the Shepherd of us all,
And came upon the Lord of all mankind
Swaddled in feeding trough of cattle stall.
So humbly was our Savior born to us,
And humbly did He live His life on earth
That we might learn to humble selves and thus
Be open to the blessings of His birth;
Live so we honor love, peace, and good will,
Thus savoring His grace Who loves us still.
