in the quiet stillness of this night
the candles flicker softly
we hear again the ancient tale
of wonder and God’s gift
the songs we sing are known by heart --
of peace and hope and joy
with family, friends and strangers too
we seek to find the holy
each face we see recalls to mind
occasions from the journey
those filled with laughter and with tears
that brought us to this moment
the bread is broken -- wine is poured
connecting cross to manger
in love we share the feast of grace
which binds us all together
we know that God is always near
as close to us as breathing
but shadows often cloud our eyes
and blind us to the sacred
the dark is driven from our midst
as we in awe remember
the shepherds watching flocks of sheep
while angels bring glad tidings
so in the quiet and the stillness
of this night of candles
an ancient tale is told anew
and we receive the gift
December 2002
