If I Had Been There by Suzanne Hancock

Lighting up the darkened sky,

The moon shines full and bright

A beacon there to guide us

On yet another Christmas night

My mind turns to reflect

Upon that Holy time long ago

Mary rocks her newborn child

Her sweet voice tender and low

If I had been there in Bethlehem

What role might I have played?

Would I be an overworked innkeeper

Or a shepherd who was afraid?

Would I have heeded the angel’s call

And to the King swiftly gone?

Would I have wanted to linger there

Not departing until the dawn?

Like the Wise Men I may have been

My gift at a later date bringing

Seeing then a sweet toddler instead

His praises triumphantly singing

Would I be like the Nephites so brave

Waiting with patience for signs to appear

Never denying the prophesied words

Knowing the Lord said, “Be of good cheer”?

Perhaps I would be in the Heavenly choir

Ringing down Hallelujahs from above

Tuning my voice and my heart to His

Filling my eternal soul with His love

None of these were my stories, I know

I was simply a spectator to the glorious events

I do not recall what I thought nor felt

With the earthly veil around me not rent

I hope I felt then like I feel so now

Looking at the moon, white and pure,

Knowing that He came to suffer for me

Knowing that His love for me is sure

Who or what I may have been back then

Matters not now on this earthly night

What matters is how I try to be like Him

Do I serve? Love? Shine with His light?

In that stable I would have loved to be

Witness to miracles that did abound

Even so, with my own burning heart’s desire

His grace, His truth, His embrace I have found.