One Christmas Night

by MissMerri

Christmas Poetry Contest Winner

One Christmas night I had a wondrous dream.
I walked in darkness through a snowy scene
and marveled that I did not lose my way,
nor was I cold, though why, I could not say.

I heard a bird whose song was like a bell,
a gentle chiming as the snowflakes fell,
and wondered if his singing kept him warm
or was it meant to sound a sweet alarm?

The snow fell thick and all grew strangely still.
The song, as if a symbol of goodwill,
continued through the cold and starless night
but then grew silent in the morning light.

Remembering a child born long ago,
who came on wings of hope that He might show
the waiting world God's love and ceaseless care,
I wondered why I struggled with despair.

The message, like the singing of the bird,
resounded through the darkness, as I heard
what seemed to be a Father's tender call.
Oh, how I longed to understand it all!

I knelt and prayed the dream would never cease,
and that the child who came as Prince of Peace
would come again like sunlight in the sky
to dry the tears of all who mourn and cry.

When I awoke, I saw the sun was bright
and all the snowy world alive with light.
A small bird in a nearby tree
began to chirp a cheerful melody

that moved me strangely, filling me with song
until I couldn't help but sing along.
"Oh Lord," I said, "All nature gives you praise.
I too would honor you in all my ways."

Though it was but a dream, my heart could feel
the transformation in my life was real,
and since that night, I've never been the same.
It was, for me, the night the Savior came.