Christmas Eve

‘Twas the night before Christmas
and all through the land.
People were traveling
at Caesar’s command.
The roadways were busy,
the towns they were packed.
But available lodging
was something they lacked.

Some young weary travelers
did look for a place.
Where they could rest for the night,
and perhaps wash their face.
They went inn to inn,
and perhaps door to door.
But there was no place,
not even a floor!

Their search did continue
for someplace to stay.
They were offered a stable,
out back with the hay.
It sure wasn’t much
but it’s all they could find.
So they made themselves comfy
where the livestock had dined.

In the midst of the night,
the traveler awoke.
With an urgent whisper
and not so gentle poke.
The words were direct,
perhaps tinged with some fear.
Now is the time,
the child’s almost here!

And so it did happen,
a child would be born.
As Mary and Joseph
faced that Christmas morn.
Whenever it was,
whatever the day.
The Christ-child was born
and placed on the hay.

And out in the darkness
on a hillside that night.
Some shepherds encountered
a frightening sight.
An angel from heaven
spoke out in the night.
To hear such a thing
filled the shepherds with fright!

Do not be afraid,
I bring news of great joy!
In the city of David
has been born a boy!
The One that was promised
so long ago.
He’s asleep in a manger,
wrapped in cloths, so you know.

And while they were thinking,
they must have said, “Oh, my!”
For the heavenly hosts
did light up the sky.
Saying, “Glory to God
and peace to all men.”
Now go find this child
born in Bethlehem.

So the shepherds did hurry,
there was no time to waste.
They were filled with such joy,
that they ran with great haste.
They came to the stable
with a manger as a bed.
And found all the details
just like the angel had said.

They left that encounter
and spread the good news.
Telling all who would hear,
they had nothing to lose.
As they went their way,
singing praises to God.
They didn’t care
if people thought they were odd.

And all of the while,
by the sweet baby’s side.
Mary did treasure
and ponder inside.
All the joy and the wonder
of what did occur.
And all that the shepherds
had spoken to her.

So, this night before Christmas
what have you planned?
Are you spreading good news
throughout the land?
Are you so overwhelmed
by the birth of this Boy?
That you’re praising God
with the greatest of joy.

When we encounter
the One born our King.
The question remains,
just what gift will we bring?
There’s only one gift
that He wants to see.
That gift is the life
of you and of me.

I was asked to read a poem at a Christmas Eve service so I planned on sharing something I had written a year ago. I arrived a work early in the morning on Christmas Eve and the starlit sky drew me to the river to spend time with God in prayer and worship as I photographed the rising sun. As I walked and prayed, this poem began to from in my mind. I believed it was meant to be shared at the Christmas Eve service so I kept repeating it to myself so it wouldn’t leave my mind before I could get back to a computer to type it out. I don’t know if this was the original version, but enough of it stayed in my mind so that I had a fresh poem to share tonight. I pray that it encourages you and that it accomplishes all of the purposes for which God gave it.

In prayer,
Tom

‘Twas the eve before Christmas
and all through the land.
All the people were doing
just what they planned.
Their laundry was hung
where everyone could see.
It all went online
as they said, “Look at me!”.

The children were somewhere,
no one seemed to care.
As long as they managed
to stay out of my hair.
The parents were busy,
each in their own way.
As they try to make Christmas
mean just what they say.

Then deep in my heart
I could hear a faint call.
Just a gentle whisper
is what I recall.
I fell to my knees
and opened the Book.
As I listened more closely
and took a good look.

And to my surprise,
just what did I see?
God’s love came to earth
as a tiny baby.
His love looked so small
in this human form.
As He arrived in a barn,
not even a dorm!

The announcement was made
far out on a hill.
By an angel of God
on a night that was still.
God spoke to some shepherds
who were out on that night.
And gave them good news
in the midst of their fright.

The angel was joined
by a great heavenly host.
Who gave the message
that they needed most.
All glory to God
who reigns from above.
And peace to all men
who rest in His love.

The message was so great
that I tagged along.
To see what was meant
by this heavenly throng.
We went into town
to a stable forlorn.
And found in this place,
a child had been born.

As we walked on in,
I felt like a stranger.
Until I did see
this baby in a manger.
The baby was wrapped
from his toes to his head.
In swaddling cloths,
like the angel had said.

We knew at that moment
that this was the King.
Who had come down to earth,
salvation to bring.
As we left that stable
and went on our way.
We told all who would listen,
what took place that day.

The town filled with wonder,
the people were amazed.
At the things we did tell them
as God’s name we praised.
That night was something
that we never forgot.
As we went back to work
and lived out our lot.

I’m sure there was more,
but I seemed to wake.
From a dream that was real,
no way this was fake!
A King came to visit,
I was there at the start.
Now He asks me to love Him
with all of my heart.

More than a baby
did I meet that day.
It was the presence of God
that showed up that way.
He grew as a child
and lived as a teen.
He was pleasing to God
and to all on the scene.

As His time came near
to complete God’s own plan.
He started to teach
like no other man.
He spoke of a kingdom
that He would reveal.
And the way to this kingdom,
His own blood would seal.

As I did listen,
I thought of that day.
When I heard with the shepherds
what the angel did say.
The babe in the manger
was no ordinary birth.
It was God dwelling with us,
a King come to earth!

I was asked to share a poem at the Christmas Eve service at our church. The hope was that I would write a new poem for the service. I explained that I don’t really write poems I just collect them as God gives them to me in my prayer times. The request then changed to asking that I pray about the Christmas Eve service and listen to God as they prayed that God would give me a poem. 🙂 Out of that prayer time (mine and theirs) God has given me two poems today and there are still two more days before the Christmas Eve service — God only knows if there is anything else to come! I pray that it encourages you to consider Jesus as your king.

In prayer,
Tom