
A Star Shone Over Bethlehem – A Star of Peace
On Bethany fell the new star’s light,
But only one was awake that night.
Old Martha, restless, had left her bed
And gone out to sit in the garden instead.
Silently past the room she had crept
Where baby Mary and young Martha slept.
The sharp night air was a cooling balm.
Wrapped in her blanket she soon grew calm.
Troubling memories slipped away
Along with the pains of the present day.
But then came a voice to disturb her ease,
A little voice saying, “Grandmother, please
Come back inside. The wind is chill.
The cold night air will make you ill.”
“Young Martha, my dear,” her grandmother said,
“Thank you for caring. You should be abed.”
“I was worried, you know,” the young girl replied.
“Come under my cloak then and sit at my side.
We’ll share a few stories, then go in to rest.”
“I love to hear stories and yours are the best!”
“We’ll talk about stars. Your grandfather knew
All the star stories and I’ll tell them to you.
He taught me their names and the pictures they make.
Look! There is the hunter, you cannot mistake;
Three stars make his belt, his sword are two more,
His dogs run before him across heaven’s floor.
Then to the north two bears there will be
That circle the star that guides sailors at sea.”
“But grandma,” asked Martha, “what is the name
Of the bright star above us that glows like a flame?”
“My child,” asked old Martha, “what star do you mean?”
She looked up, “Why, I’ve never seen
Such a beautiful star! It seems quite new.”
“Do stars ever change?” “I suppose they do.
I’ve never heard that they come and go
But there’s much in the world I do not know.”
“Does it have a name or a story to tell?”
“Let us sit here a moment and study it well.
It may have a secret it’s willing to share.
It may speak if it knows a listener is there.”
“I’m listening and looking and I see
The new star is brightest of all to me.
The other stars’ light is icy and cold;
The new starlight sparkles warm and gold.
It makes me feel happy to sit here below
And rest in the calm of warming glow.”
“It’s a peaceful star,” old Martha said,
“Now let us go in and back to bed.”
“But we haven’t found a name for the star!”
“Others will study it wiser by far
And perhaps find the name.” “But as for me
The star of peace it will always be.”
“You are right, my child, cares and worries cease
When we sit below this star of peace.”
Guy Johnson