On December 23rd, 1823 an anonymous poem appeared in the Troy Sentinel (New York). The poem’s title was “A Visit from St. Nicholas”. That Poem has become widely known over the years since as “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” The author was later identified as, Clement Clark Moore, a professor at the Episcopal General Seminary in New York City. Mr. Moore had written the poem as a gift to his children for Christmas 1822. Let me share a different version with you this Christmas morn.
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 a shelf without care,
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.
Their children were dressing to climb into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing their 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 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.
(Author Unknown)
While angels did announce His first coming, scripture tells us Jesus’ second coming will be without announcement, in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye. There will be no warning, no time to prepare. The time to prepare is now. And today we rejoice because God has sent a Savior which is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11).
Merry Christmas to all! May you enter 2019 prepared.
George Yates is the Church Health Strategist for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, assisting churches and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Learn more at ALSBOM.org/revitalization.
