Nativity
author unknown

The blessedness of Christ-mas
Is the miracle of birth,
When Christ, a child, called Jesus,
Was born upon this earth.

A star shone in the heavens
As darkness touched the night,
Attracting the poor shepherds
Who watched in awesome fright.

The wise men in the cities
Had heard the story told,
That a King, Lord and Savior,
Lay in a manger cold.

The shepherds and the wise men
Who saw the brilliant star,
Followed it in wonder
To Bethlehem afar.
And there they found the manger
Enshrined in golden light,
Where laid the Christ Child Jesus
In swaddling clothes of white.

They knelt before their Master
As angels sang above,
A song that made it Christ-mas
So filled with joy and love.





No Greater Light
by Suzanne Dean

There was no family doctor,
There was no midwife there
Just a loving husband,
A donkey, and a mare.

There was no bed with linens,
And no comfort for this wife;
No help at all was given
For the bringing forth of life.

But, in the quiet hours
As her time was growing nigh,
She met the pain of labor
With faith in God on high.

And, soon fulfilled the promise
That a Savior would be born
Within a lowly stable
Before the break of morn.

The Savior breathed the breath
Of life, and it all began,
For here was born the Prince of Peace
At last, the Son of Man.

There was no special clothing,
Nor cradle for the king;
Swaddling clothes to wrap him in
Was all that they could bring.

Yet, here within the stable
As the animals watched on,
The light of God shone all around
And warmed them until dawn.

The legionnaires of Caesar
That occupied the inn
Had no idea how very near
The miracle they'd been.

That night there were a very few
Who really understood--
Just those who prayed for answers,
Whose hearts were kind and good.

They knew he would be coming
To bring light to the earth,
And long had watched to see the star
That signified his birth.

And high above the stable
It shone as if to say
The world would long remember
This morn as Christ-mas day.

And even though there were so few
To celebrate that night,
There's been no sweeter miracle
There's been no greater light!





No More Darkness
Author Unknown

The clouds moved lazily, the air was still,
As the old man wearily trudged the hill.
His eyes were dimmed, blind from birth
He had never beheld God's wondrous earth.

But his hopes were high for he had heard it told
That a Messiah had come, as prophesied of old.
He stumbled and fell mid the crowd and throng
Pitied by the weak, pushed aside by the strong.

When ready to despair from life's sorrow and scorn
A voice pierced the air, "Blessed are they that mourn! "
Humbly he listened, while the crowd made mirth
"Blessed are the meek, they shall inherit the earth!"

With tears overflowing, his knees fell to the sod,
"Blessed are the pure in heart, they shall see God!"
He lifted his head, by the illumination overcome
And beheld there fore him, the Master . . . the Son!"

Tears clouded his eyes, then in darkness they closed,
But for one precious moment, he had seen with his soul.
Then a light brighter than a galaxy before him spread
And he knew he never again in darkness would tread.

He recounted the scripture . . . "Unto you is born this day"
A Savior . . . A Master . . . Christ . . .the Light and the Way!"
"Peace on earth" at last in his heart he could find.
The same blessings of Christ-mas is still given to mankind!





An Ode Of The Birth Of Our Saviour
by Robert Herrick

Voice 1:

In numbers, and but these few,
I sing Thy Birth, Oh JESU!
Thou pretty Baby, borne here,
With sup'r abundant scorn here:
Who for Thy Princely Port here,
Hadst for Thy place
Of Birth, a base
Out-stable for thy Court here.

Voice 2:

Instead of neat Enclosures
Of inter-woven Osiers;
Instead of fragrant Posies
Of Daffadills and Roses;
Thy cradle, Kingly Stranger,
As Gospel tells,
Was nothing else,
But, here, a homely manger.

Voice 3:

But we with Silks, (not Crewels)
With sundry precious Jewels,
And Lily-work will dress Thee;
And as we dispossess Thee
Of clouts, we'll make a chamber
Sweet Babe, for Thee,
Of Ivory,
And plaster'd round with Amber.

Voice 4:

The Jews they did disdain Thee,
But we will entertain Thee
With Glories to await here
Upon Thy Princely State here,
And more for love, than pity.
From year to year
We'll make Thee here
A Free-born of our City.





Oh Could That I
by Jessie Dorothy Tubb

Oh could that I have seen the Star,
That shone o'er Bethlehem afar,
And like the three wise men of old,
Beheld the Infant in the fold.

Oh could that I have trod the way,
Where shepherds walked that olden day,
To hear the angel tidings bring,
Of Jesus Christ the new-born King.

Oh could that I a gift had borne,
Upon that joyous Christmas morn,
Unto the humble manger stall,
Where lay the Holy Infant small.

Oh could that I heard angels sing,
Their praises to the Saviour King,
And gazed in adoration there,
On blessed Child and Mother fair.

Yet once again the vision appears,
To all believers o'er the years,
And still 'tis now, as it was then,
For Peace on Earth, Goodwill to men.





On Christmas Night
by Jessie Dorothy Tubb

On Christmas night, when all is still,
There comes a vision, your heart and mind to fill,
Of a stable lowly,
Yet there a babe most holy,
Was born to be THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD.

On Christmas night, long, long ago,
A star shone down, on wonderment below,
With a glorious brightness,
A light in the darkness,
That shone on THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD.

On Christmas night, sweet Mary's travail done,
God's gift was given, His own beloved Son,
To bring and never cease,
Goodwill to men, and peace,
Rejoice and praise THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD.

On Christmas night, behold the little Lord,
Laid in a manger bare, and yet, by men adored,
Hark! The bells are ringing,
Join the angels singing,
Glory to God, THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD.





On Going Home For Christ-mas
by Edgar Guest

He little knew the sorrow that was in his vacant chair;
He never guessed they'd miss him, or he'd surely have been there;
He couldn't see his mother or the lump that filled her throat,
Or the tears that started falling as she read his hasty note;
And he couldn't see his father, sitting sorrowful and dumb,
Or he never would have written that he thought he couldn't come.

He little knew the gladness that his presence would have made,
And the joy it would have given, or he never would have stayed.
He didn't know how hungry had the little mother grown
Once again to see her baby and to claim him for her own.
He didn't guess the meaning of his visit Christ-mas Day
Or he never would have written that he couldn't get away.
He couldn't see the fading of the cheeks that once were pink,
And the silver in the tresses; and he didn't stop to think

How the years are passing swiftly, and next Christ-mas it might be
There would be no home to visit and no mother dear to see.
He didn't think about it -- I'll not say he didn't care.
He was heedless and forgetful or he'd surely have been there.

Are you going home for Christ-mas? Have you written you'll be there?
Going home to kiss the mother and to show her that you care?
Going home to greet the father in a way to make him glad?
If you're not I hope there'll never come a time you'll wish you had.
Just sit down and write a letter -- it will make their heart strings hum
With a tune of perfect gladness -- if you'll tell them that you'll come.





The Real First Night of Christ-mas
author unknown

'Twas the first night of Christ-mas a long time ago
The hillside was peaceful, the moon was aglow.
The world couldn't know from what happened before
That men would remember this night evermore.
The sheep on the hillside--their days journey over
Were dreaming sweet dreams of a field full of clover.
The shepherds were watchful while guarding their flock
The earth was their pillow, the stars were their clock.
Then all of a sudden, they jumped at the sight
Of the sky all ablaze with a heavenly light.
They huddled in fear, then they started to rise
As the lightening-like flash tore open the skies.
The heavens were split by the silvery ray.
The dark disappeared and the night became day.
And lo, at the end of the rainbow of light
Appeared then an angel to banish their fright.
The angel brought news of a birth in a manger
And bade them to hasten to welcome the stranger.
For Mary had just given birth to a boy
Whose coming would bring so much comfort and joy.
A choir of angels looked down from the sky
And heavenly voices were heard from on high:
Peace be on earth and good will to all men.
The Savior has come on this night, Amen.
The heavenly angels then faded from sight.
The sky once again turned from day to night.
The shepherds all quietly rose from the ground
And hurried to go where the child would be found.
As they reached Bethlehem and the inn was in sight
From the barn came a trickle of half-hidden light.
It led like a path to a soft little bed
And shone very tenderly on a child's head.
The child in the manger was sleeping so sound
His eyes were still closed, as the shepherds stood round.
From that instant of grace on that night long ago
Thousands of years would be warmed by the glow.
Guided by light from a bright shining star
Came a pilgrimage led of three kings from afar.
They were dressed in the finest of satins and lace.
Their complexions were that of an Orient race.
The three wealthy kings were wise men and proud
But they went to the Christ child and solemnly bowed.
They came bearing treasures of incense and gold
To that sweet little child, still not very old.
The star in the sky twinkled down from above
The world was awakened to kindness and love.
The past was forgotten, the future was bright
And the spirit of Christ-mas was born on that night.





The Secret of Christ-mas
Unknown

It's not the glow you feel when snow appears,
It's not the Christ-mas card you've sent for years,
Not the joyful sound when sleigh bells ring,
Or the merry songs children sing.

The little things you do on Christ-mas Day
Will not bring back the friend you've turned away.
So may I suggest the secret of Christ-mas
Is not the things you do at Christ-mas time,
But the little things you do all year through.





See Mother, Funny Funny Mother
author unknown

See Mother. See Mother laugh. Mother is happy.
Mother is happy about Christ-mas.
Mother has many plans. Mother has many plans for Christ-mas.
Mother is organized. Mother smiles all the time.
Funny, funny Mother.

See Mother. See Mother smile. Mother is happy.
The shopping is all done. See the children watch TV.
Watch, children watch.
See the children change their minds.
See them ask for different toys.
Look, look, Mother is not smiling.
Funny, funny Mother.

See Mother. See Mother sew.
Mother will make dresses.
Mother will make robes.
Mother will make shirts.

See Mother put the zipper in wrong.
See Mother sew the dress on the wrong side.
See Mother cut the skirt too short. See Mother put the material away until January.
Look. Look. See Mother take a tranquilizer.
Funny, funny Mother.

See Mother. See Mother buy raisins and nuts.
See Mother buy candied pineapple and powdered sugar.
See Mother buy flour, and dates, and pecans, and brown sugar, and bananas, and spices, and vanilla.
Look. Look. Mother is mixing everything together.
See the children press out cookies.
See the flour on their elbows.
See the cookies burn. See the cake fall.
See the children pull taffy. See mother pull her hair.
See mother clean the kitchen with the garden hose.
Funny, funny Mother.

See Mother. See Mother wrap presents. See Mother look for the end on the scotch tape roll.
See Mother bite her finger nails. See Mother go.
See Mother go to the store 12 times in one hour.
Go Mother go. See Mother go faster. Run Mother run.

See Mother trim the tree.
See Mother have a party.
See Mother make popcorn.
See Mother wash the walls.
See Mother scrub the rug.
See Mother tear up the organized plan.
See Mother forget gift for Uncle Harold.
See Mother get hives.
Go Mother go. See the far away look in Mother's eyes.
Mother has become disorganized. Mother has become disoriented.
Funny, funny Mother.

It is finally Christ-mas morning. See the happy family.
See Father smile. Father is happy.
Smile Father smile.
Father loves fruit cake.
Father loves Christ-mas pudding.
Father loves all the new neckties.
Look, look. See the happy children. See the children's toys.
Santa was very good to the children.
The children will remember this Christ-mas.

See Mother. Mother is slumped in a chair.
Mother is crying uncontrollably.
Mother does not look well.
Mother has ugly dark circles under her blood shot eyes.
Everyone helps mother to her bed.
See Mother sleep quietly under heavy sedation.
See Mother smile.
Funny, funny Mother.





Shine of the Star
by Terri Tiernan Maguire

Bethlehem fell quiet that night
Cold and peaceful, not a cloud in sight
A star shined down upon us high in the sky
We all knew something, except the reason why

Before long, love emberred completely around
Just quiet whispers within the distinct sound
Of the Child's cry

I tried to shield them as best as I could
But a tired, little lamb can't do much good
With the mean wind, the Babe glowed anyway
I'll always remember how He smiled at me that day

They brought Him gifts and bowed to pray
Their faith carried them that long, cold way
We beasts lay quietly in the straw
Watching the Christ child in unshakable awe

His birth touched all beings
Even we stable animals changed it seems
For the Babe brought about true, complete love
By the shine of the star in that night's sky above





The Snow Storm
by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Announced by all the trumpets of the sky,
Arrives the snow, and, driving o'er the fields,
Seems nowhere to alight: the whited air
Hides hills and woods, the river, and the heaven,
And veils the farm-house at the garden's end.
The sled and traveler stopped, the courier's feet
Delayed, all friends shut out, the housemates sit
Around the radiant fireplace, enclosed
In a tumultuous privacy of storm.

Come see the north wind's masonry.
Out of an unseen quarry evermore
Furnished with tile, the fierce artificer
Curves his white bastions with projected roof
Round every windward stake, or tree, or door.
Speeding, the myriad-handed, his wild work
So fanciful, so savage, naught cares he
For number or proportion. Mockingly,
On coop or kennel he hangs Parian wreaths;
A swan-like form invests the hidden thorn;
Fills up the farmer's lane from wall to wall,
Maugre the farmer's sighs; and at the gate
A tapering turret overtops the work.
And when his hours are numbered, and the world
Is all his own, retiring, as he were not,
Leaves, when the sun appears, astonished Art
To mimic in slow structures, stone by stone,
Built in an age, the mad wind's night-work,
The frolic architecture of the snow.





The Spirit of Christ-mas
by Sue Alien

The Omnipotent Weaver straightened His loom and turned, with a practiced look,
To the endless mountain of variant threads and the open Pattern book.
He weighed each strand with a thoughtful smile, and sorted them carefully,
A myriad of colors and priceless threads in silent symphony.
First on the loom went a thread of pure gold, pressed firm by the Master's hand,
Till it lay in its place like the soft caress of a hovering angel band!
Next was a priceless silver thread placed close to the golden one,
Encrusted with diamonds and precious stones in the brilliance of noonday sun!
The Master wove in the magic folds a pattern of warmth and cheer,
Good will and giving and selfless thoughts and compassion throughout each year!

Slowly and surely the Weaver toiled; soon He finished, and then
Came a dusting of frankincense and myrrh for the hungry souls of men.
The shining Hosts of Heaven then all crowded into the room
To admire the Weaver's masterpiece as it came from off the loom!
"Magnificent work, oh Father," an angel whispered low.
"What will You call its name, then, and to whom does this rare gift go?"
The Master smiled and breathed a prayer as the velvet folds unfurled
"I'll call it the Spirit of Christ-mas -- My gift to the mortal world."





The Story of the Christ-mas Guest
by Helen Steiner Rice

It happened one day at the year's white end,
Two neighbors called on an old-time friend

And they found his shop so meager and mean,
Made gay with a thousand boughs of green,

And Conrad was sitting with face a-shine
When he suddenly stopped as he stitched a twine

And said, "Old friends, at dawn today,
When the cock was crowing the night away,

The Lord appeared in a dream to me
And said, 'I am coming your guest to be'.

So I've been busy with feet astir,
Strewing my shop with branches of fir,

The table is spread and the kettle is shined
And over the rafters the holly is twined,

And now I will wait for my Lord to appear
And listen closely so I will hear

His step as He nears my humble place,
And I open the door and look in His face. . ."

So his friends went home and left Conrad alone,
For this was the happiest day he had known,

For, long since, his family had passed away
And Conrad has spent a sad Christ-mas Day.

But he knew with the Lord as his Christ-mas guest
This Christ-mas would be the dearest and best,

And he listened with only joy in his heart.
And with every sound he would rise with a start

And look for the Lord to be standing there
In answer to his earnest prayer

So he ran to the window after hearing a sound,
But all that he saw on the snow-covered ground

Was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn
And all of his clothes were ragged and worn.

So Conrad was touched and went to the door
And he said, "Your feet must be frozen and sore,

And I have some shoes in my shop for you
And a coat that will keep you warmer, too."

So with grateful heart the man went away,
But as Conrad noticed the time of day

He wondered what made the dear Lord so late
And how much longer he'd have to wait,

When he heard a knock and ran to the door,
But it was only a stranger once more,

A bent, old crone with a shawl of black,
A bundle of faggots piled on her back.

She asked for only a place to rest,
But that was reserved for Conrad's Great Guest.

But her voice seemed to plead, "Don't send me away
Let me rest awhile on Christ-mas day."

So Conrad brewed her a steaming cup
And told her to sit at the table and sup.

But after she left he was filled with dismay
For he saw that the hours were passing away

And the Lord had not come as He said He would,
And Conrad felt sure he had misunderstood.

When out of the stillness he heard a cry,
"Please help me and tell me where am I."

So again he opened his friendly door
And stood disappointed as twice before,

It was only a child who had wandered away
And was lost from her family on Christ-mas Day. .

Again Conrad's heart was heavy and sad,
But he knew he should make this little child glad,

So he called her in and wiped her tears
And quieted her childish fears.

Then he led her back to her home once more
But as he entered his own darkened door,

He knew that the Lord was not coming today
For the hours of Christ-mas had passed away.

So he went to his room and knelt down to pray
And he said, "Dear Lord, why did you delay,

What kept You from coming to call on me,
For I wanted so much Your face to see. . ."

When soft in the silence a voice he heard,
"Lift up your head for I kept My word--

Three times My shadow crossed your floor--
Three times I came to your lonely door--

For I was the beggar with bruised, cold feet,
I was the woman you gave to eat,
And I was the child on the homeless street."





There's a Star in the Sky
by Joisah G Holland and Karl D. Harrington

There's a song in the air!
There's a star in the sky!
There's a mother's deep prayer
And a baby's low cry!
For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!

There's a tumult of joy
O'er the wonderful birth,
for the Virgin's sweet child
Is the Lord of the earth.
Ay, the star rains its fire and the choirs sing
For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!

In the light of that star
Lie the angels impearled;
And that song from afar
has swept over the world.
Every hearth is aflame, and the choirs sing
In the homes of the nations that Jesus is King.

We rejoice in the light.
And we echo the song
That comes down through the night
from the heavenly throng.
Ay! we list to the lovely message they bring
And we greet in his cradle our Savior and King.





To a Child
by Robert Herrick

Go, pretty child, and bear this flower
Unto thy little Saviour,
And tell Him, by that bud now blown,
He is the Rose of Sharon known.
When thou hast said so, stick it there
Upon His bib or stomacher;
And tell Him, for good handsel too,
That thou hast brought a whistle new,
made of a clean straight oaten reed,
To charm His cries at time of need.
Tell Him, for coral thou hast none,
But, if thou hadst, He should have one;
But poor thou art, and known to be
Even as moneyless as He.
Lastly, if thou canst win a kiss
From those mellifluous lips of His,
Then never take a second on,
To spoil the first impression.





To Shepherds as They Watched by Night
by Dr. Martin Luther, 1483-1546

To shepherds as they watched by night
Appeared a host of angels bright;
Behold the tender Babe, they said,
In yonder lowly manger laid.

At Bethlehem, in David's town,
As Micah did of old make known;
'Tis Jesus Christ, your Lord and King,
Who doth to all salvation bring.

Oh, then rejoice that through His Son
God is with sinners now at one;
Made like yourselves of flesh and blood,
Your brother is the eternal God.

What harm can sin and death then do?
The true God now abides with you.
Let hell and Satan rage and chafe,
Christ is your Brother--ye are safe.

Not one He will or can forsake
Who Him his confidence doth make.
Let all his wiles the Tempter try,
You may his utmost powers defy.

Ye shall and must at last prevail;
God's own ye are, ye cannot fail.
To God forever sing your praise
With joy and patience all your days.





'Twas The Night Jesus Came
Unknown

'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 hopes 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 a babe 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 sound
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!

Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse.
And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True.
He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His
name is called The Word of God. And He has on His
robe and on His thigh a name written: King of Kings
and Lord of Lords. Revelations 19:11,13,16





Unawares
author unknown

They said, "The Master is coming to honor the town today,
And none can tell us at whose house or home
The Master would choose to stay,"
And I thought while my heart beat wildly,
What if he should come to mine?
How would I strive to entertain
And honor the guest divine?

And straight I turned to toiling
To make my house more neat;
I swept and polished and garnished,
And decked it with blossoms sweet;
I was troubled for fear the
Master Might come ere my task was done,
And hastened and worked the faster,
And watched the hurrying sun.

But right in the midst of my duties
A woman came to my door;
She had come to tell me her sorrows,
And my comfort and aid to implore,
And I said; "I cannot listen, Nor help you any today;
I have greater things to attend to."
And the pleader turned away.

But soon there came another
A cripple, thin, pale and gray
And said, "O, let me stop and rest
Awhile in your home, I pray
I have traveled far since morning,
I am hungry and faint and weak,
My heart is full of misery,
And comfort and help I seek."

And I said, "I am grieved and sorry,
But I cannot help you today;
I look for a great and noble guest,"
And the cripple went away.
And the day wore onward swiftly,
And my task was nearly done.
And ever a prayer was in my heart
That the Master to me might come.

And I thought I would spring to meet him,
And serve him with utmost care,
When a little child stood by me
With a face so sweet and fair
Sweet, but with marks of teardrops,
And his clothes were tattered and old.
A finger was bruised and bleeding
And his little bare feet were cold.

And I said, "I'm sorry for you,
You are sorely in need of care;
But I cannot stop to give it,
You must hasten on else where."
And at the words a shadow
Swept over the blue-veined brow;
"Someone will feed and clothe you, dear,
But I am too busy now."

At last the day was ended
And my toil was over and done,
My house was swept and garnished,
And I watched in the dusk alone;
Watched, but no foot-fall sounded,
No one even paused at my gate
No one entered my cottage door,
I could only pray and wait.

I waited until night had deepened,
And the Master had not come;
"He has entered some other door," I cried,
And gladdened some other home!"
My labor had been for nothing
And I bowed my head and wept,
My heart was sore with longing,
Yet in spite of all I slept.

Then the Master stood before me,
And his face was grave and fair;
"Three times today I came to your door
And craved your pity and care;
Three times you sent me onward,
Unhelped and uncomforted,
And the blessing you might have had was lost,
And your chance to serve has fled."

"Oh, Lord, dear Lord, forgive me!
How could I know it was Thee?"
My soul was very shamed and bowed,
In the depth of humility.
And he said: "The sin is pardoned,
But the blessing is lost to Thee;
For comforting not the least of mine,
Ye have failed to comfort me.





Voices in the Mist
by Lord Alfred Tennyson

The time draws near the birth of Christ:
The moon is hid; the night is still;
The Christ-mas bells from hill to hill
Answer each other in the mist.

Four voices of four hamlets round,
From far and near, on mead and moor,
Swell out and fail, as if a door
Were shut between me and the sound:

Each voice four changes on the wind,
That now dilate, and now decrease,
Peace and goodwill, goodwill and peace,
Peace and goodwill, to all mankind.





Within Our Keep
by Alan Harris

What is this stillness in the stable?
What glow is here within our hearts?
Who lies so small between us?

Far more seems given us in this bed
than infant pounds and length--
how weigh, how measure possibilities?

Although just now our baby sleeps,
his waking eyes reveal an inner light--
some holy mystery within our keep.

We bow.
We love.
We are silent.





You Can't Buy Me Christ-mas
by Grace Chiang

'Twas the night before Christ-mas, and all through the mall,
Not a creature was idle, shoppers least of all;
The merchandise was placed in the windows with care,
In hopes that great sale shoppers soon would be there.

The parents were hoping to keep out of the red,
While visions of tax returns danced in their heads;
And Ma in her overcoat and Pa in his fleece,
Headed to the mall despite a tight winter squeeze.

When out from the women's wear, there arose such a clatter,
We looked up from our wares to see what was the matter.
Away to the sales rack we flew like a flash,
Tore off the clothing and paid it with cash.

The moms with kids were all in tow,
The stores were all aglow,
When all at once we saw him appear,
A fat old man with a great white beard!

With all the bustle so lively and quick,
We knew in a moment it was just a trick.
Ten bucks for a photo, on the lap of a man?
Better to catch bargains and shop while we can!

"Now Visa! now Mastercard! and American Express!
On Discover, on bank cards, on personal checks!
To the front of the line, to the front of the store!
I want it all! And I want it more!"

As we marched to the car with bags in our hands,
We were startled to see a hungry old man.
As he watched us walk past, down his face rolled a tear.
His clothes were dull rags, and no one drew near.

And suddenly, we felt so ashamed.
The fake glow from the stores had already waned.
For here was someone who reminded us so dear,
Of One who had come to end all our fear.

And lo! Above the mounting spectacle of greed,
Shone a bright star for all to take heed;
That Christ-mas is more than material things,
It is HIM who we celebrate, and the joy that He brings.

"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.
Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you.
He is Christ our Lord." -Luke 2:10-11






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