
A Star Shone Over Bethlehem – A Star of Love
Caleb came up to the shop before noon
To ask if his job would be finished soon.
The carpenter answered, “It’s almost done.
Come in, my friend, don’t stand in the sun.
Here is your wagon good as new,
Ready to go many miles for you.”
“It soon will have many miles to go.
Our Roman masters would have it so.
Joseph,” said Caleb, “it’s certain that no man
Ever has encountered a good-natured Roman.
Look at their faces, harsh and grim.
They take what’s ours on the slightest whim.
Having a census? Well, okay that’s fine,
But why do I have to go to sign
The rolls in a town where I’ve never been
Because it was once the home of my kin?”
Joseph answered, “It’s hard, I know,
Down to Bethlehem we must go,
Mary and I and the time draws near-
In just a few days our child will be here.
We have our old donkey for her to ride
But I haven’t anything else to provide
For safety and comfort along the way.
We have to go but we need to stay!
I’m worried for her. The trip is so long,
So filled with danger, so much can go wrong.”
“Stop, stop,” said Caleb, “you’re overwrought.
Be calm, my friend, I have a thought.
Look at the wagon you’ve fixed for me.
It’s certainly big enough for three.
Just listen before you deny my claim
For most of the journey our paths are the same.
In the wagon on cushions Mary may rest.
My horses will pull us, two of the best.
I’ll be the driver. You can decide
Whether you want to walk or ride.”
“Thank you,” said Joseph, “that offer is more
Than any friend could be hoping for.
Mary and I will talk, and if she
Thinks well of your plan we will agree.”
When the matter was settled, plans were laid,
Provisions gathered, old debts repaid.
At last at dawn on a chilly day
The trip of the three was underway,
With Mary at ease in the wagon bed
And Joseph acting as driver instead
Of Caleb who happily cheered them along
Playing his flute or singing a song.
They traveled all day. They camped that night
By the side of the roadway just out of sight.
Hidden they hoped by the thicket of trees
That lined their path, they rested at ease
And savored the porridge that Mary brewed
While horses and donkeys foraged for food.
They slept quite soundly through the night
And set out again at the dawn’s first light.
Caleb was driving on that day’s ride
While Joseph was sitting at Mary’s side.
They talked together of many a thing:
Their hopes for their child, what the future might bring.
Then Mary said, “Last night in my bed
I suddenly awoke and saw overhead
A wondrously beautiful golden star,
Brighter than any around it by far.
And I was enfolded by its glow
And felt the love it was sent to bestow
On me and you and all we know.”
“The star is a blessing,” said Joseph “and we
Will watch together tonight and see.
There in the heavens high above
This wonderful star, this star of love.”
And as they traveled every night
They searched the sky for this heavenly sight.
At last came the time when Bethlehem lay
Only the walk of a morning away.
It’s hard to say good-bye to a friend
But earthly journeys have an end.
Caleb drove east with a cheerful “good day!”
Mary and Joseph knelt to pray.
Then rising they prepared to go
To Bethlehem traveling steady and slow
On their donkey Mary would ride
With Joseph walking along at her side.
What the future would bring neither could say.
The star of love pointed their way.
Guy Johnson