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IN BETHLEHEM

From the December 1977 issue of The Christian Science Journal


No other way could tiny child have been protected quite so well.
       A world attuned through inspirationed prophecy
       to glorious marvels faithful ones would grasp.
       A gentle mother pure as love itself,
       her heart prepared to cherish her own babe.
       The kindly Joseph ready standing.
       Long a righteous law-led man, yet
       loath to even righteously condemn
       a sin that was in fact no sin at all.
       And when inspired insight guided sight,
       a shield from shaming sneers of "friends."
       Nor would decree-forced journeying
       make him desert his close-held guardianship.
       He took her with him as he crossed the land—
       to David's Bethlehem.

       The place of travail might have seemed untoward,
       but had it not a hallowed quiet?
No other way could secret sanctuary have been provided quite so well.
       Not hometown curiosity, mortal fears,
       or small-thought doubts.
       No tired rowdy travelers crowded in, nor
       years' accumulations of civilized decay.
       A fresh-filled manger with sweet-smelling hay
       was ready to receive the tiny one.
       The placid beasts that stood nearby
       could well support the heavenly purpose—
       steadfast in their warmth, content in
       only-natural-as-sunrise birthing.

No other way could heavens proclaim the grand occurrence quite
                        so well.
       A worldwide astronomical phenomenon
       startled awake the learned minds to what
       was happening long desired. And with a
       steady leading, guided the far-searching thought
       to a child
       Uniquely sheltered, unmistakable, recognized without delay.

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