Hark, my friends, and you will hear
a story of hope for your lis’tning ear.
It’s a story of darkness, a story of light,
a story of weakness, a story of might.
The story begins in a time long ago,
with people and critters I think you will know.
Once upon a time, lived an old priest named Zech,
who, with his wife Liz, was a bit of a wreck.
They had not one child after long years of trying,
and spent many decades both praying and crying.
Then, out of the blue an angel appeared,
and Zech was frightened, shaken with fear.
“You’re having a son!” the angel proclaimed,
“and you’ll call him ‘John’ when he is named.
He’ll be God’s prophet, he’ll sing a new song!
He’ll show the right way to those who are wrong.”
But Zech said, “We can’t! We’re too tired and old.
There’s no way this happens, the thing you just told.”
And Zech’s tongue was tied, his voice was long gone,
until the son came and he did name him John.
Next, we see Mary, who was young and engaged;
her heart was wide open, she was coming of age.
Then, out of the blue an angel appeared,
and Mary was frightened, shaken with fear.
“You’re having a son!” the angel proclaimed,
and you’ll call him Jesus the day he is named.
And Mary asked, “How? I’m not quite yet wed!”
The angel replied, “It will be as I said.”
And Mary agreed, she was faithful and fervent.
She said, “I am willing and I’ll be God’s servant.”
And then there was Joseph, a good enough guy,
betrothed to Mary, so young and spry.
It was all prim and proper, with sprinklings of bliss,
then he learned that she was carried a child that weren’t his.
He thought to himself, “What will people say?”
He considered his options, how to put her away.
Then, out of the blue an angel appeared,
and Joseph was frightened, shaken with fear.
“Do not be afraid, don’t have reservation,
this child Mary carries is God’s a gift of salvation.”
The night of the birth, some shepherds were keeping
a flock of sheep, who mostly were sleeping.
Then, out of the blue an angel appeared,
and the shepherds were frightened, shaken with fear.
“Do not be afraid, but be of good cheer,
I bring you great news that you want to hear!
The very best news, to bring you delight,
a Savior is born, he is born on this night!
Then, filling the sky, were angels galore,
together they offered praises and more.
“Give glory to God, let your songs never cease!
This child that is born is God’s gift of peace!”
In lands far away wise people were yearning,
as they searched for signs that the world was turning.
They were thoughtful and smart, gifted and gracious,
majestic and solemn and kind and sagacious.
Then, out of the blue a star appeared,
and the Magi were humbled, with reverential fear.
“Can this be at last, the one we have sought?
Could this be the end of the wars we have fought?”
The Magi then journeyed as Isaiah foretold,
“Kings from the east will arrive bearing gold.”
And that is the story, why these folks were able
to gather that night, in that little stable.
Now, many years later, we sing and we pray,
and share our own gifts for each Christmas day.
© Mark Davis, All Souls Day, 2025
