Upon a MidNight Clear

The moon hung like a bright orb suspended in space, the night was cloudless, the wind blew a chill down the mountains, across the deserted plains through the towns and villages spread upon the land, that night’s journey had begun so long ago.

We had traveled far from our beginnings this night my companions and me.

From the east, through the mountain passes to the cities, towns and village’s, those large, small and some no more than a building or two, mere outposts along the way, some providing respite for the weary travelers, such as my companions and me.

Our progress as we moved across the darkened land was hindered, the by-way lit only by the shinning orb in the sky, mountain shadows obscuring the clear way.

We soon became bewildered, frightened, and hopelessly lost in the complex maze of competing crossways, my companions and me.

Without food, nor water, and but well worn tattered and torn clothing to cover our shivering and cold bodies, we knew life would soon end, our destination not yet found as we wondered in confusion, first one way and then another, my companions and me.

We had begun, my companions and I, our journey some time ago to a place we did not know where, guided only by the ordained mankind belief in the spirit of good will and peace upon this earth, that inherent belief passed down through the ages to all who would believe. Time had now passed, eternity upon us.

With spirits now weakened , our belief in question, our faith leaving, our bodies worn by the struggles faced, we knew, my companions and me, we were near, but yet far from the destination sought.

In hopeless desperation we climbed slowly and painfully up one more hill, each reaching out a helping hand to our fellow travelers, my companions and me.

Reaching the summit of the pathway this night, we found only more bleakness and despair, huge heavy clouds moving across the heavens, the moon lite hidden from view.

Exhausted, body strength gone, hope extinguished, we fell to the cold, damp ground prepared to accept the end this night, my companions and me.

At first it was a dim sound, growing louder as it moved cross space to us, the eerie notes gradually blending into a magnificent cacophony of glorious orchestration, then it faded, replaced with a soft melodious, comforting voice, being neither male nor female, the voice spoke.

" I have brought you here far from your beginnings, I have given you and your companions struggles to endure, mountains

to climb, faced you with obstacles testing your belief and faith

to find your way here."

The voice was then gone, the sky became brightly aglow, stars shone, warmth spread through our bodies, energy returned, clothing thread bare gone, newness now there.

As told in stories of old, one luminous star appeared among the many to light the scene for my companions and I upon that midnight clear. The new born king was here!

tedc Dec. 9, 2006