One Night in Bethlehem

Bethlehem,
a stable, near a crowded inn,
a manger
for a newborn's bed,
crude, drab covers
to warm the small King.

Mary's long, black hair
frames her pale face,
dark eyes wide with wonder.

The brown-black, earth-colored
cows and donkeys,
grey-white sheep,
the tan camels, kneeling.

Shepherds, summoned by angels
dressed in common colors,
their staffs of wood.

The bright star above the stable,
casting silver beams
upon this holy birth.
A dawn like no other--
misty, stippled gray-lavender
across all of Bethlehem.

And above all, God's love shines
down upon earth in rainbow hues,
received by human hearts.
As He grieves for His only Son,
the shadow of a cross
appears above the manger.