Christmas Carol

James S. Park

So crowded was the little town

On the first Christmas day,

Tired Mary Mother laid her down

To rest upon the hay.

(Ah, would my door might have been thrown

Wide open on her way!)

But when the Holy Babe was born

In the deep hush of night,

It seemed as if a Sabbath morn

Had come with sacred light.

Child Jesus made the place forlorn

With his own beauty bright.

The manger rough was all his rest;

The cattle, having fed,

Stood silent by, or closer pressed,

And gravely wonderèd.

(Ah, Lord, if only that my breast

Had cradled Thee instead!)