The stable was quiet, still.
Even the animals (even the chickens!) didn't move, didn't breath. All attention was focused on the young woman kneeling in the straw, her face flushed in the starlight. A man stood timidly beside her, and pushed sweaty bangs from her forehead. Startled at the sudden contact, she looked up and smiled at him, before returning her focus her lap.
A baby boy lay nestled there.
She cooed to the newborn infant and pushed his wispy bangs from his face, cradling him close to her. The baby gurgled, and nestled close to his mother, sleeping peacefully. She smiled, rubbing her eyes and face. The man caught the motion and knelt next to her, gripping her wrist.
"You should sleep." He said softly. She shook her head.
"No, no… I have to… I got to…" her protestations where cut off by several racking yawns.
The man quieted her with a smile. "Sleep." He ordered her gently, pointing to the straw.
She made a face at him, and then curled up in the straw, one arm cradling her son to her.
He sat beside them for a long time; their sleeping faces in the cold starlight took his breath away. He knew that image would stay with him until his dying day, his new wife and His son asleep.
He sat there a long time, his hand on her shoulder, watching them, when the lighting became intensified. He blinked and stumbled to his feet, heading to the door. His jaw dropped when he saw the sight before him. The stars had turned bright gold; they doused the earth in an unnerving light, and the wind… The wind had changed it was now joyous; triumphant… he could almost hear words in the breeze.
Joseph threw down his staff, running out into the plain, his arms held above him, his voice rose in a joyful prayer.
Silent night, Holy night
All is calm, all is bright
'Round yon virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from Heaven afar
Heav'nly hosts sing Alleluia
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born
Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
AN- I missed a concert for my choir class at school, one of the ways to make up credit was too write an essay on a song we were singing, one of which was silent night... I choose that, but with a twist. :)
I don't own the lyrics to Silent Night