Christmas Song

Bruce Cockburn

Fire-bright faces in winter night 
a dog in the distance barks 
the sky speaks in patterns of starlight 
the fire replies in sparks 

The stream is a motionless moment 
salmon in the sea swims deep 
pregnant with force as a prayer is 
spring in the hard earth sleeps 

Like the snow on the stark spruce limb 
coated with ice, then stripped by wind 
we melt away and return again 
stronger for the tempering flame 
stronger for the Saviour's name.