Carol for a hard winter

Sisters and brothers, gather around,
here lies a babe upon the hard ground;
this is no Christmas child in the hay,
yet here is Christ, born even today.

There are no angels, there is no star,
kings do not ride with gifts from afar;
to this hard birthplace no shepherds run,
yet here is Christ, God's tiniest one.

No mother sings a soft lullaby,
Joseph has left the baby to cry;
ruined the inn and empty the stall,
yet here is Christ, God's love gift to all.

Child who knows hunger, sorrow and pain,
helpless, abandoned, left by the slain,
you are the Christ entrusted again;
may you find love, as once you found then.

Permission is given to reproduce this material, with acknowledgement,
for non-commercial use in a congregational or similar setting.

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