On the Hillside
It was a night like no other.
Bright and clear.
You could see every star in the sky.
One shone brighter than the rest
Its ethereal beauty held us in its power
As we tried to watch over our sheep.
My eyes were drawn, from starlight,
to fire’s glow.
Weary, but filled with peace, I prayed.
Time stood still on that quiet hillside
Even the lambs sensed something special
The night was waiting.
As we huddled deep into warm cloaks,
The light of stars began to join.
The sky burned with a radiant light
And angel voices filled the air.
"Glory to God in Heaven
And on Earth, Peace to all men."
Fear overtook our peacefulness.
Perhaps this was the end of time?
But Gabriel calmed our panicked minds
Giving the message of great joy.
A special baby, born this night
The Son of God in Bethlehem.
Go to the stable where he lies
Sleeping near animals in the hay
His mother watches
While the World
Waits to hear the news
Of the Saviour's birth.
Our hearts filled with joy, we ran,
Tumbling down the hillside
In our haste.
Leaving our sheep but knowing they were safe
God watching over them
None would stray.
The bright star led us to the holy place
The humble stable
Bathed in heavenly light.
We rushed, excited, to the door
But stopped, too nervous yet
To enter there with simple gifts.
Gently we pushed the door, peering in.
The mother smiled and beckoned us inside.
Quietly we crept, not to wake the babe.
Our eyes filled with tears at the beauteous sight
We knelt to thank God
For the chance to play our part.
We did not want to leave that place
Where God had shown his love for all the World
But indeed we had a task to do
To spread the joyous news afar.
Share what we had seen with our own eyes
The holy babe come to us on Earth.
We spoke to people far and wide
About the wondrous things we saw
The images burning in our minds.
Clear vision of that special night
We thanked God that he had chosen us
Poor shepherds to speak of his Son.
Now, as I watch my sheep
On the hillside, cold and dark
My heart is filled with quiet joy
I'll spend my life in thankfulness
That a shepherd could be called to see
The Son of God, to tell the news.
Sometimes, late, I think I hear
A far off sound beyond the hills
Of angel voices soft and sweet
Singing of the holy birth.
Although it's only in my mind
I know God’s love is always near.
Gaynor Cobb