Christmas Eve

Title: The Inn Of Life

Author: John Oxenham

As It was in the Beginning,--

Is Now,--

And...?

Anno Domini I.

* * * * *

"No room!

No room!

The Inn is full,

Yea--overfull.

No room have we

for such as ye--

Poor folk of Galilee,

Pass on! Pass on!"

"Nay then!--

Your charity

Will ne'er deny

Some corner mean,

Where she may lie unseen.

For see!--

Her time is nigh."

"Alack! And she

So young and fair!

Place have we none;

And yet--how bid ye gone?

Stay then!--out there

Among the beasts

Ye may find room,

And eke a truss

To lie upon."

Anno Domini 1913, etc., etc.

* * * * *

"No room!

No room!

No room for Thee,

Thou Man of Galilee!

The house is full,

Yea, overfull.

There is no room for Thee,--

Pass on! Pass on!

Nay--see!

The place is packed.

"We scarce have room

For our own selves,

So how shall we

Find room for Thee,

Thou Man of Galilee,--

Pass on! Pass on!

But--if Thou shouldst

This way again,

And we can find

So much as one small corner

Free from guest,

Not then in vain

Thy quest.

But now--

The house is full.

Pass on!"

Christ passes

On His ceaseless quest,

Nor will He rest

With any,

Save as Chiefest Guest.