On Christmas Eve we celebrate,
with friends throughout the earth,
the night when angels and a star
announced the Savior’s birth,
when shepherds heard the angel-songs
and wise men scanned the skies,
and mother Mary rocked her child
to hush his tiny cries.

We tell these stories once again
beside a Christmas tree,
and light a candle for the child
on his Nativity.
We sing the splendid angel-songs,
and ring a Christmas bell;
shout “Merry Christmas” to our friends
and wish our neighbors well.

But, always there are some who find
no reason to rejoice.
They mourn, and wait in vain to hear
a loved one’s long-lost voice.
The angel-songs and twinkling lights
remind them of their loss;
for them the shiny Christmas tree
becomes a barren cross.

Still others do not celebrate
because they are alone,
by choice or by necessity
away from friends and home.
They worry that there is no room
for lonely folk this night;
they long to hear the angel-songs
and see the star’s love-light.

Incarnate God, make us your hands
to wipe away sad tears,
your arms to welcome those in need,
to calm their anxious fears;
your voice to whisper angel-songs,
your smile to light their way,
until a lonely Christmas Eve
becomes glad Christmas Day.