Alone – with one fair star for company,
The loveliest star among the hosts of night,
While the grey tide ebbs with the ebbing light –
I pace along the darkening wintry sea.

December shadows lengthen, bringing cold.
Sometimes it feels like that’s what life will be:
More dark and chill, as we grow sad and old –
Alone – with one fair star for company.

But when the sky is dimmest, lift your gaze
And view this cloudless heaven with clear sight.
That lonesome orb can light our twisting ways –
The loveliest star among the hosts of night.

A distant candle shows the way to hope,
Reminding us that love will win despite;
Igniting flame within to strive and cope,
While the grey tide ebbs with the ebbing light.

In Christmas light and Christmas love, let’s turn
And see each neighbor’s shared humanity.
So having glimpsed the peace for which I yearn,
I pace along the darkening wintry sea.

The first stanza is adapted from the poem “Christmas Even” by Mathilde Blind.