The Night Watches*

Posted by Bob Fink on

“Bless the beasts and the children . . .
Light their way
When the darkness surrounds them”**

Nicolaes Pieterszoom Berchem (1621/1622-1683) Annunciation To The Shepherds (1649 oil on canvas) Netherlands

And the angel said
to the shepherds
abiding in the fields,
taking it in turns
to watch over

their flocks by night,
“Be not afraid.
I bring you good tidings
of great joy.” Peace to all
God’s humble and lowly

1915P100, Night with her Train of Stars, 1912 Watercolour, bodycolour and chalk with gum arabic and gold medium Artist: E.R.Hughes Edward Robert Hughes (d.1914) Birmingham Museums Trust

beasts and children,
little ones sheltered
in God’s benevolence.
No more hurt, no harm,
a child leading the way.

Akiane Kramarik

NOTES:

*Luke 2: 8 f.n. 2 (King James Version of the Bible)

**Song lyrics from the Carpenters’ 1971 “Bless the Beasts and the Children,” songwriters Barry De Vorzon and Perry L. Botkin, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC. Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

SOURCES:

Luke 2: 8-14
Zephaniah 3: 11-12
Isaiah 11: 6, 9