The twenty-fourth was marked on the calendar as “Christmas Eve”. Decorations had been prepared and hung up for days and some children may have even set out cookies and milk in anticipation of the coming of “Santa Claus.” We may find a lot of fun in these traditions and the shared time with family and friends should be viewed as very precious. However, too many go about all of this, making preparations for so many things, while neglecting the thing most important! Consider the following well written and thought provoking poem written in the style of “’Twas The Night Before Christmas.”
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’TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE JESUS CAME!
’Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hope that Jesus would not come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed.
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head
And mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.
When out of the East there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!
The light of His face made me cover my head.
It was Jesus! Returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said “It’s not here”, my head hung in shame.
The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound
While all the rest were left standing around.
I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There’s only one life and when comes the last call
We’ll find that the Bible was true after all!
[AUTHOR UNKNOWN]
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Jesus is coming again! He said so! (John 14:3) Angels said so! (Acts 1:11) Are we living prepared for His return? Because of coming judgment we need to consider what kind of conduct marks our life. (2 Peter 3:11) Not knowing when that day will be (Matthew 24:36) we must be certain our relationship with the Lord is such that we would be ready for His return at any moment. As Christians that day is to be anticipated with joy rather than fear!
Paul encouraged. . .
“(15) For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. (16) For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. (17) Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. (18) Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 ESV)
Have a great day WITH THIS TRULY BEING A THOUGHT THAT ENCOURAGES!
Carl
