This year the pasture had been richly green,
With ample rains to make the grasses grow.
As Joseph walked he thought of “Balk” so mean,
The burro that he had to get in tow.
And could this halter keep him in his place,
To lead the donkey and subdue his bray?
How would old “Balk” cooperate with grace
To make the journey seem a shorter way?
On second thought a better choice would be
The young and kinder “Gen” to take along.
For Mary must be carried carefully,
Now great with child and healthy but not strong.
For “Gen” was gentle, as his name implied,
With attitude far safer than old “Balk”,
When Joseph found him he was satisfied,
One call and “Gen” came up with hurried walk.
The many preparations were with haste.
How inconvenient now to have to go
To register for taxes, be displaced,
To satisfy the Romans that they owe.
He slipped the halter on and said a prayer,
Then led the burro to the stable rude;
And placed the blanket on his back with care,
And fed him with his morning scoop of food.
The sun was barely rising o’er the plain
When Mary climbed upon the burrow’s back,
Then picking up the halter strap again,
He lifted now their luggage in a pack,
And off they went toward distant Bethlehem
Where Joseph’s humble father had been born.
Then Mary felt the unborn jump within,
And thought of Rome with special angry scorn.
Their route took them to Jordan’s winding trace,
Past fertile fields and break of this new day;
And Mary rode with quiet easy grace,
But dusty was the road and long the way.
They stopped for lunch, and rest was now their need,
For Mary’s ride grew stressful with some pain.
The day had started early for these two,
And there were yet more miles with added strain.
They stayed that evening on their way with friends.
The rest was very welcome, and the night
Provided now renewal for the two,
With food and drink to nourish and delight.
The second day was much the same as first,
More Galileans now with tax to pay!
And Mary rode with anxious thoughts of birth,
While Joseph’s feet were aching all the way.
The second night they slept beneath the sky
With others who were friends from Gallilee,
And talked of taxes, asking reasons why,
And Mary’s child so very soon to be.
A special village set upon a hill,
Remembering David, it was named for him,
Mary and Joseph came that day, half ill,
And journeyed weary to a noisy inn.
The inn was full and Mary wept in fear.
The child within her brought anxiety.
Joseph now spoke strong words of need, then near
A stable warm did bring security.
This was the night a little child was born,
And shepherds came from flocks out in the night;
And wisemen too with gifts in regal form,
To place them in His everlasting light.
The Christ child was a gift of faith and trust,
Sent by our Father’s tender loving care.
The Holy family journeyed far for us,
A gentle burro made it peaceful there.
The child grew up, became our Saving Lord,
And brought to us a life of love so fair!
Let us go on, our Savior still adored,
And live by faith, with daily ardent prayer!
(September 1995)