Every year, I write a poem for Christmas, and include it in my Christmas cards to friends and family. For the days leading up to Christmas, I’m publishing all of my Christmas poems here, as a kind of Advent calendar.

Today’s poem was written in 2008.

On the last starry night of the season
A priest led my gaze to the skies.
“Something is stirring with Saturn,
A new kingdom about to arise.”

On a sleepless night out in the desert
A vagabond called out my name.
“Join me, my friend, let’s finish this road!
Soon nothing will e’er be the same!”

On a taciturn night in the fields
I heard from a shepherd the call:
“Gloria! Gloria! Hallelujah!
Peace on earth! Goodwill to all!”

Behind a small inn, from a manger
A newborn cry wakens the night.
A child arrives ’mid the darkness
As yonder arrives the new light…