Twas the Night Before Christmas

Past

Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the world
No one was expecting, (even though they were told)
The events that were soon to unfold.

The angel appeared to Zechariah and Mary
The angel told Joseph, “Don’t worry”
To Bethlehem town they must go
In order their family to enroll.

The town was so busy
David’s family so big
Everyone else had made it to town
So no place to stay could be found.

A barn was all that remained
For Mary a place to be laid
For the baby now on His way
He was born and laid in the hay.

The shepherds were watching their flock by night
They did not worry, they had not a fright
They had all settled in to watch the sheep
They were never expecting to be woke from their sleep.

The angel appeared and said, “do not fear”
The news that he brought was so great to hear
Then the heavens filled with the Lord’s glory all around
Singing praises to God with a great heavenly sound.

The shepherds did rush, they did not tarry
To the manger they went in such a big hurry
What a wonderful sight were Joseph and Mary
The Savior of all the manger did carry.

They worshiped the new king
Then good tidings went to bring
To all who would listen and hear
They brought the greatest news for all the world to hear.

May the Lord bless and keep you
May He give you the strength
In this world to bear witness in all that we say
To Christ as our Savior, the truth, the life, the way.

Present

Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the world
While some were preparing a grand celebration
Others were oblivious to all the sensation.

While some were a rushing here, there, everywhere
Some were working the events of that day to prepare
Some thought of others to their delight
Yet, some thought of nothing but to escape the night.

For some the season is quite a challenge
For others it seems a time to indulge
What if there is no reason for the season
What if the answer is some other reason.

Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the world
Some want to celebrate tolerance, diversity
Others don’t want to acknowledge the King of Christianity.

So many things vying for our attention
We get so confused and we get so distracted
We make a witness which makes some people wonder
Do we know what or why we celebrate and ponder.

So what do we do?
How do we respond
Do we get all involved in rites of this life?
Do we stand up for Christ and celebrate His life?

Christmas time is indeed a struggle, a fight
The world is confused and at times in a fright
We can compromise and not share with those that we love
Or we can stand firm with the help of the Spirit above.

Do we celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanza, Santa or Christ
Do we water it all down so as not to offend
With the help of the Lord we can stand up and say
Our hope in one Savior, to heaven, the way.

May the Lord bless and keep you
May He give you the strength
In this world to bear witness in all that we say
To Christ as our Savior, the truth, the life, the way.

Future

Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the world
A small few were waiting
While the rest were not caring

Twas the night to celebrate and sing
God in flesh, the birth of the King
It happened so may years long before
Yet into their memory their hopes they did pour.

Twas another night to wait for the Savior’s return
He has been quite patient for unbelievers to turn
He has yet one promise to fulfill
But waiting patiently they are sure of His will.

While too many are dazed and confused
So many are following after false clues
Too many have turned to follow other ways
And many are looking to make it their own way.

In Jesus’ day it was much the same
Some were faithfully waiting, watching and praying
Others put on a spin and too often with a grin
Decided to choose what would give pleasure to them.

In days forward it is certain yet surely not right
But some will be running away from the Light
Some will look for their own way to fulfill
Anyone, anything, except with the Lord to be filled.

Yet we have God’s promise straight from His Word
And some will try following the narrow, straight road
So when it is time for us to be accounted
By the Spirit’s power, we will stand up to be counted.

The future holds naught what we know for sure
For some that brings fear and trembling so pure
But we face forward, with the Lord, ever so bold
We have certainty, in His hand our life He does hold.

May the Lord bless and keep you
May He give you the strength
In this world to bear witness in all that we say
To Christ as our Savior, the truth, the life, the way.