Christmas--Was The Night Before Jesus Came

[Gregory Matthews]

‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE JESUS CAME!

Author Unknown

 

 

‘Twas the night before Advent and all through the house

Not a person was praying, not one in the house.

Bibles were left on the shelves without care

No one expecting Jesus would come there. 

The children were dressing to crawl into bed,

Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.

And Mom in her rocker with the 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 glorious angels proclaiming 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

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, we had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear, 

The coming of Jesus is drawing quite near.

There’s only one life and when comes the last call

We’ll find that the Bible was true after all!

[Gregory Matthews]

I have modified the above poem to read as follows:

 

‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE JESUS CAME!

Author Unknown, as modified by Gregory Matthews

 

 

‘Twas the night before Advent and all through the house

Not a person was praying, not one in the house.

Bibles were left on the shelves without care

No one expecting Jesus would come there. 

The children were dressing to crawl into bed,

Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.

And Mom in her rocker with the 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 glorious angels proclaiming 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;

Then He said, “It is here, for I took your blame.

Your name has been written with love

I will take you to My Father above.

We who were ready all rose without sound

With the rest of God’s family all standing around.

I fell to my knees, in gratitude not too late;

That I had not waited so long and taken the consequence of my fate.

I stood in thanksgiving as we rose out of sight;

God had waited until all were ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear, 

The coming of Jesus should bring us no fear.,

To those who are waiting for that which is near.

There’s only one life and when comes the last call

We’ll find that the Bible was true after all!