Twas the night…

 

Twas the night before Christmas and the service begun

     The church was all decked out, for holiday fun!

Church members were nestled all snug in their pew

     With wreaths and lights and poinsettias in view

 

The auditorium was warm to instill Christmas cheer

     And singers were ready with carols near and dear

Then up at the front with sermon notes handy

     A Christmas message, for sure, from old Pastor Andy

 

The music was great and the message…okay

     But everyone’s thoughts were for the breaking of day

For morning would come with presents and joy

     Mom getting clothes and Dad, of course, toys

 

When out on the parking lot there arose such a clatter

     We sprang from our seats to see what’s the matter

Running out through the foyer and down the long hall

     We stood in the doorway to watch, one and all

 

A few feet away was a broken down car

     Dented and scratched, an eye-sore for sure

Then out stepped a man from this beat up ole caddy

     And three youngsters inside, they each called him “Daddy!”

 

The little old driver was lively and quick

     Worked fast on the engine and gave it a kick

You might think he cursed if you did not listen close

     But, sitting on the bumper, a real prayer he spoke

 

“For TASHA, and SHELLY, for LISA and I

     God, we don’t ask for much, just to get by

We’ve nowhere to go and no presents to share

     But we need this old car to get out of cold air

 

“Their mother has left us, and I’ve made some mistakes

     But, I love them so much it makes my heart ache

I can’t give them a thing except a night on the road

     There’s no Christmas for them, just darkness and cold

 

“So please hear me God, I feel so alone

     I don’t have a future, I don’t have a home

I just need for you to make my car start

     And maybe some help for the pain in my heart”

 

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

     Rubbed dirt off his hands; shut the hood with a jerk

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

     He wiped off a tear, and down the street he drove

 

Quiet and shocked we retreated inside

     To our tinsel and greens and soft candlelight

And the words of a carol seemed to ring out just then

     Saying “Peace on earth, and joy to ALL men”

 

We looked at each other with confusion of heart

     Our Christmas experience now saddened in part

By a man and his girls on a cold Christmas night

     With miles before them and no end in site

 

Christmas should be about praise and thanksgiving

     Not “How in the world can I make a living?”

But, those near our churches will miss Christmas this year

     Unless we all tell them the Reason for cheer

 

Out past the front door and beyond these four walls

     The message must go with a very loud call

“For those lost in sin your Saviour is near”

     We must show the World…King Jesus is here!!!

 

With words of love, acceptance and grace

     And a helping hand to finish the race

Loving the world with our words and our deeds

     We prove Christmas love by meeting their needs

 

Go tell it on the mountain

     Over the hills and everywhere

Go tell it on the mountain

     That Jesus Christ is born!