Several years ago, I wrote this poem after a day of Christmas shopping and being quite disgusted with what I’d been observing. I too, was guilty of being so busy with all the trappings of the holiday season, that spending time with the Lord wasn’t a priority on my daily “to-do” list. How ironic! I know it’s become a cliché’ but He really is the reason for the season and far too often, He is simply an afterthought. So, I hope this little poem is a friendly reminder to all of us to celebrate the birth, the life, the resurrection, and the reign of a King - not just any King…but our King.
I was thinking about how Jesus would rewrite the classic Christmas poem “‘Twas the Night before Christmas,” It might go something like this:
’Twas the night before “My” Christmas and all through the mall,
My children were shopping, I wasn’t noticed at all.
Their money was spent and without even a care,
That in January, their credit card bills would be there.
Their children were nestled, all snug in their beds,
While I thought of the hungry that would never be fed.
“Don’t ignore me,” I’d say, “it’s My voice – can’t you hear it?
…and your Bible on the nightstand? You don’t even go near it.”
Then in so many houses, there arose such a clatter,
Of murmuring and complaining and ungodly chatter.
About gifts they had to buy for those they don’t care for,
While I waited for someone to need Me, and to be there for.
But away to the parties and the stores like a flash,
Forgetting their tithes, they needed the cash.
And what to My wandering eyes did appear,
But that so few remembered why I came here.
The ultimate gift, the true sacrifice,
I didn’t come once, but I am coming twice.
In the twinkling of an eye, like a thief in the night,
You better hope I’m not “out-of-mind, out of sight.”
For if My coming would happen on Christmas Day,
I probably could fit all My saints on a sleigh.
And cry, “Dash away, dash away, dash away all,
I guess My birthday…didn’t matter at all.”
