Dark the reach of hills and mountains
Sprawled beneath the astral heights
Shadowed streets and silent fountains
Lurk amongst the village lights
Throngs bewildered and wayfaring
Crowd the places of repose
Servants haste, their burdens bearing
As an inn prepares to close
Near at hand a rude enclosure
Guards a virgin and her child
Sheltered feebly from exposure
To the forces of the wild
Bleating sheep and braying asses
Claim this fly-infested haunt
Now and then a stranger passes
Each to scorn the scene of want
Who discerns, within that stable
Heaven’s Lord and Israel’s King?
Clad in burlap, not in sable
Grace and truth at last to bring
Peasant herders dot the fields
Caring for their flocks by night
There the glorious promise yields
To the blend of faith and sight
Now the heavens part asunder
As the hosts of God descend
Anthems ring with loudest thunder
History’s steady course to rend
God be praised in ceaseless glory!
Peace on earth! goodwill to all!
Sound the liberating story!
Bear to each the gospel call!
Come and greet the infant Savior
Humble though His quarters lie
Seek the One for whom God’s favor
Floods the earth and fills the sky!
Veiled in flesh of fallen mortals
Heaven’s Sovereign takes His rest
Parted from the glorious portals
Satan’s challenge to contest
In that stall, their knees descending
Contrite saints extol His grace
Broken hearts with joy ascending
Pour their tears upon His face.
Pastor Kevin Paulson holds a Bachelor’s degree in theology from Pacific Union College, a Master of Arts in systematic theology from Loma Linda University, and a Master of Divinity from the SDA Theological Seminary at Andrews University. He served the Greater New York Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for ten years as a Bible instructor, evangelist, and local pastor. He writes regularly for Liberty magazine and does script writing for various evangelistic ministries within the denomination. He continues to hold evangelistic and revival meetings throughout the North American Division and beyond, and is a sought-after seminar speaker relative to current issues in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He presently resides in Berrien Springs, Michigan