The dust is relentless, the night is long His body aches and he prays to be strong
It's Christmas Eve and he longs to be home not here in this God-forsaken place all alone
He longs for his parents-his sister and brother --to have a cozy warm blanket--instead of sky for a cover He remembers the Christmases in his home town with lights strung on trees and with snow coming down
He remembers his Mom's cooking on Christmas day -The aroma of her turkey and the Church Christmas play He envisions the fireplace with it's cozy, warm glow and the birds on the trees-heavy with snow There was always a big wreath hung on the barn door and a light in the window--he never knew what for.
The light on the lamppost burned bright as a star and he tried to hear the carolers but the distance was too far He cast his eyes upward to view the bright, shining star and although he was far from home, fighting this war -he knew that war could not ever take away the wonder of Jesus being born on that day.
The wonder of Christmas and the baby so small who would someday die to save us all and and he thought to himself My mission is not lost-if I die on a battlefield instead of a cross Back home, they celebrate Christmas Eve --say a silent prayer that God will not leave their Soldier to die with no loved ones near They pray he will be with them on Christmas--next year.
They light a candle for him on this Christmas Eve He will come home safely -they have to believe So the war continues and he fights bravely on And one day, he's going back to his home There's a light in the barn and in the window he sees the biggest and most beautiful of all Christmas trees -and the same star is shining as he knocks on the door -shining on another Soldier as he goes off to war
The Heavenly star shines making weapon's fire dim and at home the Soldier's family lights a candle for him.
