A Chorus of Christmas Carols

King’s Town

The sun now settles o'er the Children’s Home,
as twilight vespers whisk away the light,
while tired, yet eager eyes the dark sky comb,
like stars in journey through the night.

'Tis Christmas Eve, and young hearts wait the morn,
with sleepy eyes still pressed against the pane;
with tousled shirts and trousers, dresses torn,
await they all save Mary Jane.

Alone, she kneels beside the Christmas tree,
and with a skyward glance she starts to pray;
"God, I don’t wish to simply bother Thee,
so I’ll not ask for toys with which to play.

"I just want a fam'ly, Lord, a father,
and a mother to be my very own,
to be joyful fam'ly to each other;
I’m really frightened and so all alone.

"Neither great, or special, handsome or tall,
not even wealthy do they have to be;
as long as they will lift me when I fall,
and let them be a fam'ly unto me."

Close by stood Mr. John, the janitor,
who, having heard the child pray, was moved,
and so resolved to find Jane a father.
Across the slipp'ry, frozen lake he strove,

Toward the sleepy village, Mistletoe;
but, oh, alas! The baker said, "Away."
The noble doctor said, "Ten thousand no’s."
The parson said, "Good-day, dear man, good-day."

Resolved was Mr. John, the janitor,
but everywhere he went he was refused.
And although late, still Jane had no father.
Just then, a single thought he quickly mused.

Could we? Would we? Our life long dream come true?
A lovely daughter for me and Mrs. John?
And like the wind of night he swiftly flew,
back to King’s Town, the star-lit Children’s Home.

Mrs. John then sought accord anxiously;
but little Mary Jane must first consent.
"We’ll gain consent beside the Christmas tree,"
said Mr. John, "When Jane comes for her present."

The clock soon struck the twelve sweet chimes of night,
and like a thund'rous shot, a starting gun,
the sound brought joyful children tumbling bright,
down to the weary feet of Mr. John.

Then one by one he gladly called the names,
while in the spirit of the Santa Claus.
And one by one he gladly gave the games,
as he then glanced at Mary Jane and paused.

Soon all the many presents disappeared,
as joyful children scurried to their rooms;
while from the dim-lit corner Jane appeared,
and on her cheek a teardrop rolled full bloom.

Then Mr. John did soft and gently call,
"Now, Mary Jane," said he, "Where is your toy?"
He saw her tear roll down her cheek and fall.
Whisp'ring she said, "I asked only for joy."

"Then joy shall joy be yours on Christmas Day.
Now off my child unto your room to dream."
Soon hush would fall on King’s Town by the bay;
but for the parson and doctor, in esteem.

All soon arrived and knocked upon the door.
With careful hearts they asked to father Jane.
Then others came, with many others more;
who viewed the fam'ly John with sad disdain.

All waited with their cloaks and smiles free,
with gifts and wraps beside the narrow stairs.
Mr. and Mrs. John stood by the tree,
which had the night before grown cold and bare.

Jane was then first to rise and find her way,
while eager for the answer to her pray'r,
on this her very special Christmas Day,
when Christmas joy would be her joy fore'er.

There stood all Mistletoe’s society,
as Mary Jane was sure to clearly see.
But Mary Jane walked straight unto the tree,
where Mr. and Mrs. John stood silently.

"Mommy, Daddy, I’ve found you," thus she spoke.
"But child, we’re just the workers here," said he.
"It doesn’t matter," her voice softly broke;
"For you will be my parents unto me."

So Christmas came to Mary Jane that day,
and filled her heart with joy beyond her pray'r;
as Mr. and Mrs. John did pledge alway,
to be her loving family fore'er.

You see, Christmas does not mean the same to all.
To some, it means but gifts of toys or wealth;
or just the gain of good for fam'ly all;
to others still, new hope for peace or health.

But whate'er hope you may this day employ,
hope for joy of giving and forgiving;
enrich your joy by sharing all your joy,
and Merry Christmas shall your Christmas bring.

For Christmas is a gift to all of us,
whether great, different, or small;
as the dear God Who watches us,
made and loves us all, and gave Christmas to all.