I woke last night and read my Poe and asked is all that we see or seem but a dream within a dream of a dream? I know what I don’t know what I know. In Bethlehem’s cradle, a Child lay still love's eternal flame, born to fulfill. Mary, enraptured gazed upon God’s will as rosemary-scented blessings breathed His name and angels sang truth’s unending acclaim. The star above unwavering in its aura drew Magi bearing wisdom’s richest store gold, myrrh, incense, and herbs fragrant gifts they bore their homage offered on that stable floor where faith and reason met and hearts would soar. Mary’s heart surged like an ocean wide its tides drawn forth by heaven’s gentle might. beside her Joseph stood—a steadfast guide his quiet strength a beacon in the night. together they would face both joy and pain love’s cost endured its truth would still remain. The Christ-Child lay on fennel’s fragrant fronds perfection swaddled softly in humility prophets’ words through centuries widespread a balm for fractured souls of humanity healing wounds where brokenness had tread. In that lowly stable, all creation knelt low stars knelt as heaven’s leaven blessed the earth. mint and thyme sang Arcadia’s verdant rebirth while heaven stitched its grace through mortal calm and mortal hearts were seized by holy awe. Mary’s fingers brushed His tender hand fragile warmth cradling eternity’s command. in that touch heaven’s promise softly lay a love that dawns and never fades away. O God, my God! can I not save one from the pitless grave? then my soul awakened. The Incarnation shattered every wall as Love’s decree reigned over dualism’s grave basil’s herbaceous crown adorned the scene a verdure of hope where grace would grow. a bridge uniting souls He sought to save chains broken, captive minds set free. Pragmatism bowed to faith’s tender power as chives adorned the darkened winter night. existence found its most triumphant hour when truth appeared—embodied Purest Light relativism knelt before His great might. Determinism’s chains were cast away oregano’s warmth like Hope’s bold refrain. Rose of Sharon dispelled spirits of dismay hedonism humbled on that glorious day by altruism’s call, infinite, rare. Materialism quailed ‘neath kenosis’ weight as hypostatic union bridged heaven’s height. The Infinite stooped to a finite state. Cilantro’s breath, like Eden’s primal air heralded life-breaking death’s cold lair. nihilism crumbled before heaven’s gentle gate as hope emerged—the end to mortal strife revealing mercy’s truth divinely rife. Phenomenology in awe did trace eternity within the Child’s soft face skepticism softened drawn to serene faith and grace entwined, so wondrously seen an answer to humanity’s deep-felt prayer. Empiricism met the sacred, white as snow granite eroded by gentle streams. Mary’s musings melded with midnight’s mystic glow her gaze a mirror caught the light to show how God through flesh His children came to save through her the vessel—humble, brave. You are wrong who deem that my ways are filled with schemes that my days have been but a dream within a dream So I shout let all hearts ascend in awe-struck wonder to Christmas skies ablaze with thunder. O Holy Night! A hymn of love that heals the torn asunder. the dream restored through this most Sacred Light. In Bethlehem’s Child, our souls find their voice Listen... Eternity sings Rejoice! Rejoice!! Rejoice!!! Infinity wrapped itself in swaddling bands the finite cradled what no mind could span uniting heaven and earth throughout the land. O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining!