Prince of Peace at Christmas
by
Marilyn Ferguson ©2003

The scripture’s found in Matthew
A vision to behold
At Christmas time, throughout the world
A story often told.

A carpenter named Joseph
A simple-minded man
Engaged to dear sweet Mary
Who promised him her hand.

Now Mary was naïve girl
A virgin young and pure
Of all the women in the world
The Lord had chosen her.

To bear the child, Emmanuel
The Saviour, soon to be
A royal king to live and die
That we might be set free.

An angel came to Mary
Gabriel was his name
He came to bring good news of joy
Not fill her life with shame.

She had conceived the child of God
T’was growing in her womb
Though she felt blessed to fill this quest
How could she tell her groom.

To Joseph, she’d been faithful
She’d never gone astray
How he could know the miracle
That happened on that day.

The baby she was bearing
Was sent from up above
The Alpha and Omega
The Price of peace and love.

Her soul was filled with wonder
Yet fear crept in her heart
They’d label her, adulteress
And tear her world apart.

She quietly spoke with Joseph
And gently held her breath
An unwed pregnant woman
Could be stoned and put to death.

Joseph was a righteous man
Though he was in dismay
He planned to press no charges
And quickly walk away.

But Gabriel came to Joseph
One night while in his sleep
He said that Mary spoke the truth
The vows, he then would keep.

Joseph’s heart was full of joy
He knew that they’d been blest
His virgin bride, no longer cried
Their faith had stood the test.

Her feelings for this tiny child
Were strong, like any mother
The life that grew inside of her
Was special, like no other.

She knew this child was worthy
He was the Chosen One
And she had been anointed
To bear the Spirit’s Son.

So on a donkey, Mary rode
The time was drawing near
The birth of Jesus Christ was nigh
Upon a midnight clear.

The inns were full, no where to go
To give birth to her son
So in a stable filled with hay
Her labor had begun.

The King of Kings was born to her
She held her baby tight
An eastern star shone brightly
In Bethlehem that night.

While shepherds found their way to Him
And kings from far away
They offered gifts of gold and myrrh
To Him, that sacred day.

Wise men blessed the heavens
His name was richly praised
As angels sang on glory high
The Staff of Life was raised.

The guests were quite enraptured
By such a wondrous sight
All the corners of the earth
Was filled with holy light.

The world and its inhabitants
Would never be the same
For Mary bore the Lamb of God
Christ Jesus was His name.

The Redeemer was delivered
Young Mary held her son
Just as was told in scripture
It is written, it is done!