That Night

This is a poem that I discovered just a few minutes ago (amazing what happens when I actually start to read all of those books that I own). It is of a rather "Christmasy" feel, but I liked it well enough that I will ignore the calendar. The author is unknown.

That night when in the Judean skies
The mystic star dispensed its light,
A blind man moved in his sleep--
And dreamed that he had sight.

That night when shepherds heard the song
Of hosts angelic choiring near,
A deaf man stiffed in slumber's spell--
And dreamed that he could hear!

That night when in the cattle stall
Slept Child and mother cheek by jowl,
A cripple turned his twisted limbs--
And dreamed that he was whole.

That night when o'er the newborn Babe
The tender Mary rose to lean,
A loathsome leper smiled in sleep--
And dreamed that he was clean.

That night when to the mother's breast
The little King was held secure,
A harlot slept a happy sleep--
And dreamed that she was pure!

That night when in the manger lay
The Sanctified who came to save,
A man moved in the sleep of death--
And dreamed there was no grave.