Mary had a little lamb.

Thus the manger became

the birthplace of salvation.

The cows, the sheep,

the donkey who bore the Virgin to Bethlehem

all, were ever the only earthy witnesses

to Incarnation.

The angels,

Gods dulas’ in that sacred maternity,

delivered eternity to humanity

in the fullness of time.

Those awkward, awe-struck shepherds,

the first hurrying Christians,

came late to worship

in that first church of Christ.

A solitary star

turned darkest night

to light.