Randy Travis - Labor of Love Lyrics
Lyrics
It was not a silent night, there was blood on the ground
You could hear a woman cry in the alleyway that night on the streets of David's town
And the stable was not clean and the cobblestones were cold
And little Mary full of grace with tears upon her face had no mother's hand to hold
It was a labor of pain, it was a cold sky above
But for the girl on the ground in the dark with every beat of her beautiful heart
It was a labor of love
Noble Joseph by her side, callused hands and weary eyes
No midwives to be found on the streets of David's town in the middle of the night
So he held her and he prayed, shafts of moonlight on his face
But the baby in her womb, he was the maker of the moon
He was the Author of the Faith that could make the mountains move
It was a labor of pain, it was a cold sky above
But for the girl on the ground in the dark with every beat of her beautiful heart
It was a labor of love
For little Mary full of grace, with tears on her face
It was a labor of love
It was not a silent night, on the streets of David's town
Video
Labor of Love
Meaning & Inspiration
Randy Travis’s profound song, "Labor of Love," released on September 25, 2007, as part of his album *Songs of the Season*, offers a stark and powerful reinterpretation of the Nativity story, peeling back centuries of idealized imagery to reveal the raw, human reality of that pivotal night. Far from the serene portrayals often celebrated, this composition plunges us into the grit and struggle of Bethlehem, often referred to as David's town, challenging us to consider the immense personal sacrifice made by a young woman destined to be the Mother of God. It presents a scene far removed from a "silent night," instead depicting "blood on the ground" and the cries of a woman in pain, emphasizing that this miraculous birth was, in every physical sense, an arduous human ordeal. The stable, far from pristine, was "not clean," and the "cobblestones were cold," painting a vivid picture of hardship and discomfort that few Nativity narratives dare to touch. Mary, depicted as "full of grace with tears upon her face," faced this momentous event without the comforting presence of her own mother, underscoring her youth and isolation in a foreign town.
The song’s central message hinges on a profound paradox: while it was undeniably "a labor of pain" beneath "a cold sky above," for Mary, "it was a labor of love." This distinction is crucial. The physical pain was unavoidable, a universal aspect of childbirth, and for Mary, it was amplified by the lack of proper care and comfort, echoing the reality of childbirth described in Genesis 3:16. Yet, her heart’s resolve transcended this suffering. Her willingness to embrace God’s will, as she declared in Luke 1:38, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word," transformed her agony into an act of unparalleled devotion. Her love for God and her acceptance of her sacred calling fueled every "beat of her beautiful heart," turning a moment of intense physical suffering into the ultimate expression of faith and submission to the divine plan, a living testament to the truth that love can indeed conquer all pain.
Joseph, too, is brought into sharper focus, portrayed as "noble" by her side, with "callused hands and weary eyes." The absence of midwives in "the streets of David's town in the middle of the night" highlights their desperate situation and Joseph’s crucial, solitary role. He was not just a silent observer but an active participant, holding Mary and praying, a steadfast pillar of strength and comfort. His presence, his unwavering support, and his faith in the face of such extraordinary circumstances speak volumes about his character, fulfilling his divinely appointed role as protector and provider for Mary and the infant Jesus (Matthew 1:24). Shafts of moonlight, falling upon his face as he prayed, symbolize the divine light piercing through the earthly struggle, a constant reminder of the spiritual significance overshadowing their human plight.
Yet, amidst this intensely human drama, the song masterfully elevates our gaze to the divine identity of the child being born. The lyrics profoundly declare that "the baby in her womb, he was the maker of the moon," firmly establishing Jesus' pre-existence and his role in creation, as articulated in John 1:3, "All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made." He is not merely an earthly king but the cosmic architect, the source of all existence. Furthermore, the song identifies him as "the Author of the Faith that could make the mountains move." This powerful statement connects directly to Hebrews 12:2, which describes Jesus as "the author and perfecter of our faith," emphasizing that He is both the origin and the ultimate goal of our spiritual journey. The ability to "make the mountains move" speaks to the boundless power of faith, a power that originates from Christ himself (Matthew 17:20), and which He freely bestows upon those who believe. This juxtaposition of the infinite Creator confined within the womb of a suffering girl underscores the unfathomable humility and sacrifice of God becoming flesh.
Ultimately, "Labor of Love" is a call to deeply appreciate the true cost of our salvation. It compels us to look beyond the softened Christmas card images and confront the raw reality of God's entry into human history. It honors Mary's unimaginable courage, Joseph's unwavering devotion, and the immense, sacrificial love of God who chose to experience the full spectrum of human vulnerability and pain to redeem us. This song is not just a recounting of an ancient event; it’s a living testament to the enduring truth that the most glorious divine intervention often unfolds in the most humble, challenging, and profoundly human circumstances, all born out of an immeasurable labor of love.