Tired Mary, mouth so parched, <br />To Bethlehem you had marched, <br />Husband Joseph by your side, <br />Attending well his blessed bride. <br /> <br />How felt you Mary, on that day, <br />Shepherds leaving sheep to stray, <br />Angels flying to and fro, <br />The bleat of goat, a cattle’s low; <br /> <br />The Son of God lay in a manger, <br />Safely stored from mortal danger, <br />What thought you Mary on that night, <br />Seeing that new star so bright. <br /> <br />You must have known it was for Him, <br />That God’s star shone over Bethlehem, <br />A town so small without innkeeper, <br />No hotels, Inns or nightly sleeper. <br /> <br />Did troglodyte relatives welcome you, <br />Into their rock hewn homes so few, <br />Had other guests arrived therein, <br />Filling the front room called “The inn” <br /> <br />Mary, they gave you pride of place, <br />At the rear with animals was your space, <br />Warm and safe from the cold night air, <br />In that coziest spot, you laid Him there. <br /> <br />The Son of God, our Prince of Peace, <br />Lamb of God laid on white fleece, <br />Wrapped in cloth of white swaddling, <br />Our Lord of lords and Priestly King. <br /> <br /> <br />You were with Him Mary, at His birth, <br />Nurturing Him, all His days on earth, <br />Witnessing His first and final breath. <br />So blessed were you…even unto His death. <br />....even His death upon a cross.<br /><br />Alf Hutchison<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ode-to-mary-2/
