By DEREK BECHER
Nighttime rolls along the land and dims the fields dark,
It hushes sounds of wand’ring beasts, and warblings of the lark;
Serenity and silence ends the hustle that was there,
And now a starry stillness hangs in late December’s air.
And soon, this night in Bethlehem, a scene will fast unfold,
A Christmas wonder few have seen and fewer have been told:
The Church of the Nativity will host a joyous rite,
As little angels gather on this holiest of nights.
The cherubim assemble to observe our Savior’s birth;
This annual tradition brings a celebrated mirth!
But first, before the merriment begins, each Yuletide,
The angels seek a moment that they’ve never been denied.
Atop the walls, they’re lined and waiting silently, serene,
Their forms, of near transparence, keep the multitude unseen;
Collectively, they gaze toward the belfry, strong and white,
Patiently awaiting their expected thrill this night.
Then from the silence cradling the church this holy eve,
A stirring’s heard — it’s just enough for angels to perceive;
Below the ropes that hang beneath the tower’s golden bells,
Little cherubs have appeared, and how the rapture swells!
They grasp the ropes and fling their forms, and down, the cherubs heave,
Then one by one and up and down their little bodies weave;
The clappers strike inside the bells and peal a gift, profound,
With clarity and melody, a wondrous Christmas sound!
And then the angels from the walls arise and whirl about —
They soar and sway and swirl around with playfulness throughout!
Their Christmas gift has now arrived, such reveling ensues!
With cheerfulness they celebrate their yearly rendezvous.
Flinging, still, the cherubs in their gowns, are smiling so,
They barely keep their sandals on while swinging to and fro;
Their laughter joins the music, blending with the bells they ring,
While all the other angels cheer the blessings that they bring!
Then overhead, the angels take position row on row.
And blending with the bells, a gentle murmur starts to grow;
It’s soft, but so melodious, and what a gift to bring —
The angels sing a song of worship to the newborn king!
And then…the cherubs leave the ropes to dangle free once more;
They disappear — the ringing fades to silence, as before.
There’s stillness in the belfry, just as earlier this night,
Before the cherubs brought their yearly gift of pure delight!
And with a whirr, the angels, too, to Heaven take their leave,
Oh, what a time of merriment they had on Christmas Eve!
It’s sure that Heaven’s holding them throughout the blessed morn,
So, with the cherubs, they can praise that Christ the Lord is born.
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