Our American Holidays - Christmas/Christmas Carol (Park)

by James S. Park

For works with similar titles, see Christmas Carol.

CHRISTMAS CAROL

JAMES S. PARK

So crowded was the little town
   On the first Christmas day,
Tired Mary Mother laid her down
   To rest upon the hay.
(Ah, would my door might have been thrown
   Wide open on her way!)

But when the Holy Babe was born
   In the deep hush of night,
It seemed as if a Sabbath morn
  Had come with sacred light.
Child Jesus made the place forlorn
   With his own beauty bright.

The manger rough was all his rest;
   The cattle, having fed,
Stood silent by, or closer pressed,
   And gravely wondered.
(Ah, Lord, if only that my breast
   Had cradled Thee instead!)