KEEPING THE WATCH

KEEPING THE WATCH

               The shepherds gazed with awestruck eyes

               At herald angels in the skies

               And watched them slowly fade from sight

               On that first glorious Christmas night.

               The lovely echo came again

               of "Peace on earth, good will to men."

               It vanished then as echoes will,

               And all the world was hushed and still.

               The star shone down, a burnished gem,

               And shed its light on Bethlehem.

               With fierce excitement held at bay

               The shepherds started on their way,

               All but one, who stayed to keep

               A watchful eye upon the sheep.

               The shepherds saw the Holy Child,

               Saw Joseph proud and Mary mild.

               Of Holy Presence made aware,

               They knelt in adoration there.

               What king would not forsake his crown

               Or rich man lay his treasure down

               Were it but given him to see

               The Holy One's nativity!

               Yet, on the hillside dark and steep

               A shepherd stayed to guard the sheep.

               What matter how sublime the call?

               The chosen answer, yet not all.   

               Someone must keep the lamp alight

               To guide the wanderer in the night.

               When all are bidden to the feast,

               Must he who serves become the least?

               Nay, love is reckoned in the price

               To make it worthy sacrifice.

               The way is long and shadows creep...

               Someone must stay to guard the sheep.

                                   by Helen Villaume