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I first heard this song on a Christmas CD by Garth Brooks called Beyond the Season. I couldn't find his version of the song on youtube, but this gal does a fine job as well. There are so many beautiful Christmas songs, but this one just touches my heart.
The Gift
A poor orphan girl named Maria
Was walking to market one day
She stopped for to rest by the roadside
Where a bird with a broken wing lay
A few moments passed till she saw it
For its feathers were covered with sand
But soon clean and wrapped it was travelling
In the warmth of Maria's small hand
She happily gave her last peso
On a cage made of rushes and twine
She fed it loose corn from the market
And watched it grow stronger with time
Now the Christmas Eve service was coming
And the church shone with tinsel and light
And all of the townfolks brought presents
To lay by the manger that night
There were diamonds and incense
And perfumes
In packages fit for a king
But for one ragged bird in a small cage
Maria had nothing to bring
She waited till just before midnight
So no one would see her go in
And crying she knelt by the manger
For her gift was unworthy of Him
Then a voice spoke to her through the darkness
Maria, what brings you to me
If the bird in the cage is your offering
Open the door and let me see
Though she trembled, she did as He asked her
And out of the cage the bird flew
Soaring up into the rafters
On a wing that had healed good as new
Just then the midnight bells rang out
And the little bird started to sing
A song that no words could recapture
Whose beauty was fit for a king
Now Maria felt blessed just to listen
To that cascade of notes sweet and long
As her offering was lifted to heaven
By the very first nightingale's song
***
As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
Luke 21:1-4
8 comments:
What a beautiful, touching song. Sometimes I feel like I am the one offering my "unworthy" litter. Sometimes I feel like the broken bird. The best time is when I feel like singing.
I just heard that song for the first time a few days ago. I really like it, too.
I have to say, I'm a bit surprised that your favorite Christmas song isn't Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer though...
Very nice, Kathy. I was not familiar with this, until now. Thank you.
Our Winter Wonderland looks like the Arctic this morning. Beautiful. Everything at a stand-still. Perhaps as it should be, this Advent morning.
These lyrics are perfect, the humbleness of the child and Jesus letting the little bird fly are wonderfully symbolic.
I will listen to the song when I return from church, so I will be back to visit here today.
Terra
wow, how beautiful.....never heard that song before. Thank you for sharing!
.....now excuse me while I wipe the tears and boogers off my keyboard.
I never heard that song before. You are right. It is beautiful.
What a beautiful story that song tells! This is the first I've heard it, too.
Katdish, I know you're crazy-busy and not worried about blog awards, but I just wanted to let you know that your blog brings a little happiness into my day, so I have an award for you over on my blog. Even if you don't use it, I just wanted to let you know you were thought of.
Take care!
VERY GOOD!! That's what Christmas is about, and I'm impressed with the post!!!!
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