FIRST CHRISTMAS (BY FIREHOUSE 3)

An angel came from Heaven,
While in the fields they kept their watch,
That tiny, tri-toned shepherd,
And his sheep with big black spots.


It was a cold clear crisp day in December,
As Christmas crept up on old Firehouse 3.
We drove through the dirt and the tall towering timbers,
Then chopped ’til it dropped, and we brought home our tree.

We trimmed it with tinsel and bright shining lights,
Then promptly prepared for the fun and festivities,
For this was our moment and this was our night ...
Our station was doing a real live nativity!


Gus and Max went off ahead,
We’d planned to meet them at the church,
But a call came in, so off we sped
To tame some flames at Main and First.

We phoned our friends for back-up,
Frank and Franz from Firehouse 2,
Who joined our dogs with spackles ---
They were a most amazing, motley crew!


A census was ordered by Caesar Augustus,
And everyone went to their town to get taxed.
“Did you hear? They said Caesar Augustus!”
As the sheep gave a high five to Max.

So they hit the road to Bethlehem,
That couple-to-be from Nazareth
(Chief’s brother Bob from Birmingham,
And his expectant young wife Elizabeth).


They tried a new short-cut but got themselves lost,
As Mary then promptly did scold,
“You should’ve gone straight when that highway we crossed,
And stayed on the yellow dirt road!”

Then Joseph’s words were censored,
For you’d find them most offensive,
As a few choice words he mentioned
About “this senseless census!”

When they got to the town there was no place to stay,
For the innkeeper had no more rooms.
So they went to a barn and lay down in the hay,
Then the baby emerged from the womb.


The Holy Word was spoken,
As the pastor read from Gospel John,
But the silent night was broken,
When the shepherd’s cell phone burst in song.

He searched all through his jacket,
As that anthem played and played,
And when an angel heard the racket,
Max was sore afraid.


“Relax, it’s only nephew Harold,
Chief’s kin from Colorado Springs.
He’s in the Army Air Corps,
And he just received his wings.”


Gabriel said, “Kill that alarm,
For good news to you I bring.
God sent you His son, he was born in a barn,
Now go and behold your Messiah and King!”

So they headed to the stable,
To meet the Savior of the Jews,
And joined with Franz and Franklin
(a.k.a. wise men one and two).


We extinguished the blaze and we rushed to the church,
As we raced down the road with a roar.
Our ladder pulled up, landing loud with a lurch,
And in walked wise men three and four!

Preston and Brown snuck in near the back,
As the magi now numbered first five and then six.
Still holding their hoses and hatchets and axe,
Those kings bore most strange and unusual gifts!


From above beamed a bright shining star,
As a crowd gathered round in the barn.
“Have you ever seen scenes so bizarre?
I think that those wise men just came from a fire!”

Then the Heavens resounded with thunder,
As angels applauded and started to sing,
The shepherds and wise men in awe watched and wondered,
Then bowed to the ground for the newly born King.


“He came from the Father, brilliant and bright,
To drown out the darkness and flood it with light,
And save our sinned souls with His way, truth, and life,
When Heaven’s Messiah was born on this night.”

To praise the promised child,
They sang to their lamp and their bright morning star.
Then things got a little wild,
When Max jammed his electric guitar.


David J Allen
December 26, 2006


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