The Road He Traveled
Three shepherds watched their flock out in a field one starlit night
When suddenly up in the sky there was a brilliant light.
An angel floated in the air and they were so afraid
Its voice fell lightly on their ears and this is what it said.
“Fear not, for God has come to man as a little baby boy,
And all who worship at His feet will have exceeding joy.
A virgin of the house of David gave birth to Him today.
This star so bright will lead to where He’s on a bed of hay.”
So, they left their flock and traveled east, following the star.
They searched and found the child that night, though it was very far.
And though they had no gifts that day they worshiped for a while
Then Jesus looked into their eyes, and gave a little smile.
The shepherds went back to the flock, their hearts were all aglow.
Joseph took Mary and the babe, ‘twas time for them to go.
They raised Him up along beside His sisters and His brothers
But knew He was the Son of God and nothing like the others.
And when the time was come for Him to do His Father’s plan
He left and walked from town to town and witnessed man to man.
He told the people of God’s love, so rich and full and free.
He turned water into wine, and calmed an angry sea.
He preached upon the mountain top and fed five thousand men
With five loaves and two fishes, then He preached to them again.
A man was raised up from the dead, and demons driven out
This truly was the Son of God, of that there was no doubt.
But one day as He walked along the road, this Nazarene
He met a leper crying out, “Unclean, unclean, unclean.”
Then Jesus laid His hand on him and said, “My son, be well.”
His sores dropped off, he cried for joy, at Jesus feet he fell.
A blind man standing close could hear the man cry out with glee
And said, “Oh, Master, if You will, I know You can heal me.”
Jesus touched his eyes and gave him back his sight that day.
He turned to His disciples and began to walk away.
But a man with a withered arm said, “If You only will, my Lord,
You can heal my arm with Your touch or Your spoken word.”
Then Jesus said, “Take heart My son, your faith hath made you whole.”
With two good arms he hugged Christ and said, “Thank You with all my soul.”
Then the three men said, “You won’t recall, for You were too young to know,
But we knelt down at Your manger bed, many long years ago.
Our shepherd’s life has been unkind, and made our bodies this way.
But by chance You came along and healed all of us today.”
“It was not by chance”, Jesus gently said, “that I came down this road.
For, long ago, when you knelt down, I felt your heavy load.
I looked into your eyes that day and saw what lay ahead.
I could have traveled another road, but came this way instead.”
“From the manger bed I set My path to meet with you today.
For I saw what life would do to you, and I couldn’t turn away.
I’ve searched for you for many years, just like you searched for Me.
Now live a full and healthy life, for you have been set free.”
We must still seek the Son of God, and worship at His feet.
For there you’ll find exceeding joy that makes your soul complete.
Yes, life can be cruel and bend you low, but God’s love, time can never erase.
For once you have knelt at the Jesus’ feet, He never forgets your face.
Janice Austin Bates
December 13, 2003
1:51 AM
I hope you enjoyed my poem. I also wrote a book about creation as seen through the eyes of a little angel. It is called The Adventures of Little Chrisamee – Creation. It is designed to not only tell children the story of creation on a level they can relate to, but to also explain it so they really understand it. When people throw questions at your children about creation, trying to disprove it or cause them to have doubts about it, they will already know the answers to those questions and won’t be thrown by them. It is a fantastic hard back book with a dust cover. It is beautifully illustrated by a wonderful artist named Kim Sponaugle. If you would be interested in purchasing a copy of my book, or to just find out more about is, please contact me at austinlass1948@gmail.com. Merry Christmas.
