Christmas Eve services were held last night at Vernon's Barn. There was a live Nativity with light streaming into the barn from a distant star. The smell of straw was sweet and warm, and shepherds watched over their flocks. The cattle were lowing and moving quietly about. Llamas and cattle, horses and goats, and a donkey...all were in attendance to witness the birth. Pilgrims from the mountains and surrounding hills journeyed to the barn to pay tribute to the dear Savior's birth.

Christmas Eve services have been held at Vernon's Barn every year since 1982. Grace Lutheran Church and St. Paul's United Methodist Church jointly conduct these services.

PLEASE WATCH IN HIGH QUALITY
IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE

MUSIC:
The Judds - "O Beautiful Star of Bethlehem"
http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Judds,_The/
Trevor McKenzie - "I Heard From Heaven Today"
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.view...
Jim Lloyd - "Do You Hear What I Hear"
http://www.blueridgeautoharps.com/jim_lloyd.htm
Rod Brock - "Away in a Manger" http://www.youtube.com/cliffbrock
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VERNON'S BARN
(original poem ~ 12-24-08)

the barn was cold and empty as the day began to break
no creatures stirred or wandered on the hill
the sun rose in the sky, then began to fade away,
as evening stars rose high on night's first chill

the pilgrims came from near and far across the great Blue Ridge
in families of two or three or more
they gathered there inside the barn as night began to fall
'til no more room was found inside the door

the llamas' gentle faces were a wonder to behold
and sheep and goats and donkeys filled the stalls
the cows' and horses' feet made quiet music in the straw
and children sat in silent pose enthralled

the music floated on the air along with motes of dust
as brilliant light beamed down across the miles
and captured in that light so clean and pure, so filled with love,
were Mary, Joseph and their little child

the pilgrims and the animals were gathered 'round that night
all quietly stilled by magic in the air
they seemed to sense that each and every heart had been filled up
with light and love so clean and pure and rare

it's Christmas Eve, of course, and we are in the Vernon's Barn
we've come each year in praise since '82
to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God
and to say to Him with reverence, "I love you."

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