A Christmas Poem

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the inn

There lay silently slumbering, the souls of men.

With not so much as a thought, that this was the year,

Their Messiah, long promised, was about to appear.

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when out under the sky,

The sheep with their shepherds did so silently lie.

The flocks were all snuggled, secure in their beds,

While visions of green pastures danced in their heads.

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when in a stable prepared,

Two tired, yet thankful, young peasants appeared.

There was clean, dry straw and a manger, even;

It was humble indeed, yet strangely like heaven.

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when in heaven above

The hosts were all gathered nearly bursting with love.

The excitement grew tense as the angels yearned,

For the impending moment that Christ would be born.

Suddenly in a moment the sky flashed bright,

And the shepherds rebounded, with terror and fright,

While a gentle young virgin, truly pure and good

Tenderly embraced the Son of God.

Those shepherds stood trembling, fully wide awake

And absorbed every word that the angels spake;

They listened with wonder, yea utterly amazed

At the hosts of heaven who thundered with praise.

That angelic light was seen from afar.

Wise men exclaimed, “we have seen His star.”

We dare not cease from traversing the ground

Until the King of the Jews we have truthfully found

His name shall be called Jesus, the angel had said

A name to make millions exceedingly glad.

Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty Prince of Peace.

That name that in time will cause evil to cease.

For Christ was born that He should die,

To reconcile me to the God on high.

That I might live for eternity,

By inviting this Christ to be born in me.

Oh so precious is that night, when it all began

God’s personal involvement for the saving of man.

Tenderest and best, it was God’s gift to all,

His tiny hand reaching out from a bed of straw.

Yes,, turely indeed, it was the best He had;

May our hearts this night be exceedingly glad.

To on and all we say, in that eternal light,

Blessed Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

                                            -Philip J. King

Have the most wonderful Season of all!

Jill