The poem below, by an anonymous author, entitled, ‘Twas the Night Before Jesus, will seem rather corny to some readers, including me, but the underlying message is significant. Sometimes we want the resurrection without the crucifixion, the incarnation without the struggles of living, the wood of the crib without the wood of the cross, the faith without the commitment to sacrifice for it, or the celebration without the preparation and clean-up. Even cornier, the poem reminds us that Jesus is the reason for the season. When we contemplate that reason, we understand better that it isn’t Christmas without Christ or, as Dr. Seuss once wrote, “Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, is a little bit more.”
‘Twas the night before Jesus came and all thru the house,
not a creature was praying, no child, parent, or spouse.
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 baby on her lap,
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.
When out of the East there came 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 wandering 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 that this must be The Day!
The light of His face made me cover my head.
It was Jesus returning, just like He has 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 in love,
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready, He rose without 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 the 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 is true after all.
