It Was The Night Before Christmas

 

It was the night before Christmas, and all through the house,

Everyone was sleeping, especially my spouse.

The stockings were hung on the wall with such care,

In hopes that “present time” would soon be here.

The boys were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of a Wii game system danced in their heads;

And mamma asleep, she was snuggled up like a bun,

I headed downstairs, for the wrapping wasn’t done.

When up in my mind there arose a scary thought,

did we get all the gifts, was everything bought?

Then out of the corner of my eye, I noticed something stranger

I forgot to put baby Jesus in the center of the manger.

I kept Him hidden all month, until the night before he came,

an activity my wife told me was pretty much lame.

It was the night before Christmas, and I had almost forgot

But this brought into my mind an interesting thought.

In the morning after breakfast and all the gifts were open,

Would I mention His name, would it even be spoken?

Would I think about Him even, would I truly remember,

Would I give Him any glory on this 25^th of December?

 

Would my wife or my kids, my parents or my brothers

or my neighbors next door, or any of the others?

Then I turned it around, as I focused on Him.

He will think of me I thought, and my big brother Tim.

My mind began to wonder, as I thought of the sight,

Of that beautiful star, that hung in the sky so bright

The King of the world, came as a baby they say

And fell asleep his first night in a manger with hay?

Jo and Mary were new parents, which is something to be admired,

But the trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem must have made them tired.

With animals all around acting rather lazy,

 Sheppard’s showed up, which must have been crazy?

Then a bunch of Wisemen came, following a star

To worship this baby, they had travelled very far,

They were very smart men, who’s approach was quite bold

As they came baring gifts, of Myrrh, Incense and Gold.

Jesus’ eyes how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!

The sight of this little one was anything but scary!

The King of the world wrapped in cloths like a bow,

With Love in His heart, that could wash you whiter then snow;

He knows everything about me, which makes me turn red

all the junk in my heart, to the hairs on my head.

I wonder as a baby in the manger, did he think about me?

He did thirty three years later, as he hung on the tree.

This story almost absurd, it boggles my mind,

How the God of the universe could have been so kind;

He gave us the Way, and unraveled the mystery,

As he gave us His Son and change all of History;

So there I sat, on the edge of my chair,

with out fear of tomorrow, worry or care.

This Christmas will be different for everyone in my house,

From kids to grandparents, and also my spouse;

This year as we unwrap those gifts under the tree,

Let them serve as a reminder, of what He did for you and me.

So as I finish my story and I turn out the Light,

“I say Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”

-Jeffrey J Salvesen

Bloomsburg University Students Need A Ride?

If you attend Bloomsburg University and need a lift, we provide a van every Sunday morning.  Meet us in front of Carver Hall at 10:15.  Don’t worry, we will bring you back to Carver after the service.