Journey to Bethlehem

By Claire Baldry Dec 17, 2022

Journey to Bethlehem

“Do we have to go Joseph?
It’s such a long way
My legs feel so weary
At the end of each day

I’m worried I’ll stumble,
Have to stop for a rest,
I’ll just be a burden,
Though I will try my best”

“We’re the small people,
We don’t have a choice
That Caesar Augustus
Won’t hear our lowly voice

He is claiming his taxes,
For an empire so large,
That the rest of the world
Will know he is in charge

We’ll borrow a donkey,
Pace ourselves, travel slow,
Leave our home in good time,
But we do have to go

The angel will guide us,
We both know he’ll be there,
Watching over our journey
With celestial care”

The couple set off
With an ass by their side
To take charge of their bags
And give Mary a ride

They reached Bethlehem town
With a child on the way,
But no bed to be found,
There was nowhere to stay

They sought shelter for Mary,
Begging help from a stranger,
So the boy could been born,
Laid to sleep in a manger

While a star from the East
Cast an unworldly light
On the humble beginnings
Which emerged on that night

About the author

Claire Baldry

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Claire is a retired Headteacher who lives on the East Sussex coast. Claire is an established speaker, performance poet and writer. She has a strong following on You Tube and has been listed in the top 100 Poetry Rivals National Competition. Claire has published five booklets of poetry which have sold hundreds of copies. 'Simply Bexhill' was published in early June 2014, and 'Simply Christmas' in November 2014. Her third publication is a series of narrative poems entitled 'The De La Warr Date'. She more recently published 'Seaside and Sailaway', which includes a section of poems about holidays on cruise ships, and Simply Modern Life. Claire has published two full-length novels, the first called 'Different Genes'. and more recently 'My Daughter's Wedding'. Both are romantic stories about love in later life, combined with a gripping mystery. The books can be purchased through bookshops, Amazon or borrowed from any local library. Links can be found at ww.w.clairebaldry.com .Claire and her husband were awarded the SE Diabetes UK Inspire Award in 2017 for innovative ways of fundraising.