BETHLEHEM'S CRY

It took nine months before that cry was heard!

The strangers could not find a room that night
Yet labor pains had forced them from the Inn
To find a stable bed to birth a King.

The Virgin Mary wiped His tears away

While Joseph cleaned the stable cave that day
The Baby's cry once heard on Christmas morn
Foreshadowed days His heart for man was torn.

One day beside the tomb of His dear friend

The Savior wept because of sin's dread curse
He later cried when Judah turned from grace
By spewing hate upon His thorn crowned face.

On Calvary's hill a painful cry was heard

“Oh, why have You forsaken Me, My God?”
Another cry soon echoed through the night
“Tetelestai! then Satan fled from sight.

One final cry will shake this world again

The Lord Himself from heav'n to earth descend
The Church in White will rise to meet the Groom
His promise to return is very soon!
B. Pen

THE CHRISTMAS MYSTERY

A LITLE SEED WAY BACK IN TIME
BEFORE THE WORLD WAS FLUNG IN SPACE
BECAME THE SUBJECT OF GOD'S PLAN
FOR RESCUING THE HUMAN RACE.

OMNISCIENCE SAW THE FALL OF MAN

WITH ALL THE CONSEQUENCE OF SIN
THERE WAS NO HOPE OF ANY KIND
BECAUSE OF DEATH THAT REIGNED WITHIN.

SO GOD DEVISED A METHOD RARE

AND HAD THE PROPHETS WRITE IT DOWN
A VIRGIN WOULD CONCEIVE A CHILD
IN BETHLEHEM'S SMALL JUDAH TOWN.

THE SEED IN MYSTERY WAS REVEALED

THE HOLY SPIRIT, THREE-IN-ONE
COMBINED IN FLESH THE LIVING WORD
AND PLACED IN MARY'S WOMB, A SON.

HOW STRANGE THE VIRGIN MUST HAVE FELT

ON HEARING GABRIEL SHARE THE NEWS
BUT JOSEPH'S DOUBTS WERE NOT AS CLEAR
SINCE IN HIS HEART WERE OTHER VIEWS.

WHEN GOD'S PREDESTINED MOMENT CAME

ETERNITY WAS PRESSED IN TIME
THE SEED BECAME AN EMBREO
AND HEAVEN'S STAR BEGAN TO SHINE.

WHAT MUSIC MUST HAVE FILLED THE SKY

AS ANGEL CHOIRS ANNOUNCED HIS BIRTH
SO WHEN THE SHEPHERDS SAW HIM THERE
PROCLAIMED HIS COMING TO THE EARTH.

THIS CHRISTMAS MYSTERY ONCE CONCEALED

IS OFFERED AS GOD'S GIFT TO ALL
SO EVERY PEOPLE-GROUP ON EARTH
CAN KNOW THE SAVIOR WHEN THEY CALL.
--B. Pent