A Pilgrim
A pilgrim makes the lonely walk across the desert roads,
Leaving all the frippery of Christmases he knows
Seeking for a purpose; a world bigger than this.
Walking his escape from this modern tinselled bliss.
Feeling that there must be more, someone to make him whole
To satisfy the longing of his flawed, unhappy soul.
Hoping there’ll be someone he meets along his way
Who knows his heart and is prepared to love him anyway.
This road he walked with others too, who came there from afar
Wise men, kings, astronomers, following a star.
Searching for a King, they said, who’d come to save them all-
A Prince of Peace for all mankind, from slum, to royal hall.
They brought treasures with them, and gifts, exotic spice
In memoriam of a perfect life, one day sacrificed.
His journey took him to a field of shepherds watching nigh
They listened to an angel sing while he was standing by.
The pilgrim, blinded by the light, heard tidings of great joy
Heralding the birth of a precious baby boy.
Straight away, they took a lamb and hurried on their way
To greet the baby spoken of, in a manger full of hay.
And there were other players, in this, the greatest tale,
A mother and a father seeking rest from long travail,
An innkeeper, so busy that he couldn’t offer board
Save a stable where his animals were witness to the Lord.
The shepherds gave of what they had, and offered up a lamb,
As pure and as unblemished as that tiny Son of Man.
The wealthy kings paid tribute later, offering their treasure
The mother Mary smiled at them in tired, grateful pleasure.
Each one was a pilgrim with their own part to play,
Their own road to walk on that first Christmas day.
Each one gave their all, their very, very best.
Is there part in this story for a lonely pilgrim guest?
For I was that lonely pilgrim, the journey wrote was mine
My feet had found their way here by a heavenly design
And then it was my turn to offer what I could.
I touched His hand, He smiled at me, I knew He understood
My pockets, they were empty, no treasures could I pull
But though I had no gifts to give, my heart was swollen full.
Then I fell onto my knees where donkey’s hooves had trod
Weeping at the bedside of that little Son of God.
I knew then that He loved me, and would be by my side
For this He came to earth; for this purpose had He died.
Not for all the treasures; for all the ease of strife,
Would I trade this precious moment with the Saviour of my life.
…
We each are lonely pilgrims walking to the stable
Our journey takes us past a hill, a cross, passover table
But if we keep on walking, we surely there will find
A manger with a sleeping babe - the Saviour of mankind
And if we wait a little while, we will have our turn
To pledge our life, our heart to His and promise to return
To walk those dusty miles each and every year
To offer our devotion to our precious Saviour dear.
Born to earth as a babe, for you, and you, and I
So we might live with Him one day in hallowed halls on high.
Perhaps you are the pilgrim, walking desert roads,
Leaving all the frippery of Christmases you know
Seeking for a purpose; a world bigger than this.
Walking your escape from this modern tinselled bliss.
Feeling that there must be more, someone to make you whole
To satisfy the longing of your flawed, unhappy soul.
I know there will be someone you meet along your way
Who knows your heart and promises to love you anyway.
He offers love with no condition, inviting us to change
Carrying our broken hearts to mend is His exchange
So journey back to Him this year, leave everything behind
Spend a quiet Christmas with the Saviour of mankind.
Not for all the treasures; for all the ease of strife,
Would I trade that precious moment with the Saviour of my life.