In the stable a man and woman came to abide,
a little gray donkey at their side,
With a gentle ox’s greeting, I welcomed these two strangers
into my humble stable home.
Lovingly the husband prepared a bed of straw
for his weary pregnant wife to recline.
Dusk gave way to evening darkness and a star lit sky.
Silence fell as rest enwrapped us in her embrace.
In the mid of night, cries of pain filled the air
as the woman labored to give birth
A precious little son was born to them that winter’s night.
A manger bed was prepared for him and I offered
him warmth, protecting him from the cold.
Just before dawn’s light appeared
Shepherds from the hill outside of town
Came with news of angel song
With wonder I stood before that child that night
in my humble stable home.
This was no ordinary child.
Truly he was a gift
from God on high.
Then the day arrived
when they came to bid me farewell.
And gently rubbing me on my head,
thanked me for welcoming strangers
To share this humble stable home of Bethlehem.
All is quiet now as I res on my bed of straw.
In the a-lone-ness of this place,
I gaze upon the shining heavenly stars.
And I join the angel song announcing
that God’s Love has come to dwell on earth.
by Sr. Mary Kemen, OSF
