THE MAD POET
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A Christmas Poem12/16/2022 A couple of years ago, I heard a Christmas sermon discussing a theory about Christ's nativity that has stuck in my mind to this day... to the point that I had to write a poem about it. If you'd like to just read the poem, you can find it in the "Poems" page. If you'd like some background on it, keep reading! Briefly put, the idea is that a certain stone tower stood outside of Bethlehem at a site called Migdal Eder, meaning "Shepherd's Field." This place is the site of the death of Lot's wife in the Old Testament book of Genesis; in later centuries, it would serve as pastureland for the shepherds of Bethlehem. A select group of shepherds would care for the flock from which the sacred lambs for sacrifice were born, and the birthing would take place inside an old watchtower, called the Tower of the Flock. Interestingly, the biblical book of Micah mentions a Tower of the Flock as the site of a great king's birth, by a woman who would come out of a city (strangely familiar to anyone who knows the Nativity Story!) - Micah 4:8. Other support for the claim can be found in the fact that the shepherds in the fields are not recorded as needing any directions from the angels as to where the Messiah was; if they were the shepherds of the Tower, then this would have been the first place to look. It is also known that the sacred lambs were wrapped in swaddling clothes before being sent up to Bethlehem for sacrifice - these would likely have been in ready supply if Mary gave birth in the tower where these lambs were born. The symbolism and significance of Christ being born in the literal place of a sacrificial lamb is quite remarkable of true, but it should be remembered that this theory is still just a theory. The biblical account of the Nativity does not record a tower being involved, and there are some who question the exact site of the Tower. Feel free to research it and drop your thoughts and conclusions in the comments below! And now for the poem: The Tower of the Flock
It stands not far from Bethlehem, The town of David's birth. It reaches up to heaven From atop a mound of earth. A lonely spire of piled stones, Where shepherds rendezvous, Out of the night wind's freezing moan, A solemn task they do. 'Tis here where shepherds bring the ewes And sacred lambs are born. The purest ones the shepherds choose For sacrifice at morn. The helpless bleating creatures then Are wrapped in swaddling bands, And sent up to Jerusalem, To die by priestly hands. Upon a quiet winter's night, When shepherds were afield, The streets were void of life and light; The local inn was sealed. Two strangers came, a man and wife, And sought a place to stay. But though the winds cut like a knife, Each house turned them away. Yet one man said, "If you don't mind A house of frozen rock, Go north of town, and you will find, The Tower of the Flock." The husband then did ask him if there was a midwife here, For his wife was great with child and her time was drawing near. The townsman said "Go seek ye she Who births the temple lambs." He pointed out her house to them; They swiftly to it ran. They knocked, and she did open up, And with this skillful crone, They fled up to the fields, to the ancient spire of stone. Inside they found a manger, Amid a mound of straw, And through a lofty window, A single star they saw. That star was seen by shepherds As they huddled by their fires; Yet in a flash across the skies There came an angel choir; Who shouted news of holy birth, A king of David's stock, And sent the shepherds racing To the Tower of the Flock. Inside they found a manger, and within, A fresh-born babe; They knelt, as to an altar, And gladsome worship gave. In truth, 'twas not surprising, For one more Lamb was born. He was swaddled, cleansed and suckled, And before long, he was shorn. He went up to Jerusalem, Where, by popular demand, This Lamb was swiftly sentenced To be slain by priestly hands. But this Lamb was far purer than all those who came before, And now, in old Jerusalem, The lambs must die no more. Merry Christmas! - The Mad Poet
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December 2023
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