FOR YEARS SOMEONE HAS BEEN WRITING A NEW SCRIPT for the
Christmas Story. And, believe me, they
have not been using the Bible as their resource for factual material. Rather, they have spun the story with lines
that have covered the scriptural account of Jesus’ birth with total dollar
signs at the bottom of every retail, commercialized scenario! And they have diminished the Greatest Gift of
all to a mere tsunami of wishes and whims that they will receive the greatest
number of material gifts that “plastic money” can buy! How tragic and empty this is! Travel with me back to 1993 when I penned
these words – which I have updated to reflect the time and place that we now
find ourselves. “ ‘Twas the night before
Christmas, when all through the house . . . “, yes, you may know it well –
perhaps you even recited this rhyme as a child.
As I write tonight, I have given this tale a different twist. Come with me to church on Sunday
morning. And as I look out across the
congregation, this is how my story begins . . .
‘Twas just weeks before Christmas, when all through the church,
Jesus came to visit . . . our hearts
to search.
The cross was hung by the altar with care,
But we all knew that our Lord wasn’t
there!
The people were seated all snug in
the pews . . .
Listening to the missionary, as if
on cue.
Daddy in his suit and tie – and me
in my new dress,
Had just settled in for a long
sermon, we confess.
Then out in the congregation there
came such a hush,
I sprang from my spot – but there
was no rush.
Back to my seat I went in a flash .
. .
No one had stirred or even moved –
some looked aghast!
The sun on the panes of stained
window glass,
Gave a ray of light that o’er the
center aisle did pass.
When Who to my amazement, should
appear . . .
But a tall, robed Man – He came so
near.
Dressed in shining white, with eyes
of love,
I knew in a moment it was my Lord
from Above!
Slowly He moved past you and past
me,
And He read our hearts . . . and I knew He could see.
“Now, Pastor Doug! Now, Debbie!
Now, all of you within!
On, you people of Elevation North –
born in sin!
To the Word of the Lord! Fall on your knees and call!
Now, pray away! Pray away!
Pray away, all!
As dry leaves that before the wild
winds fly,
Our weaknesses and hurts mount to
the sky.
So we bowed our heads low, knowing
He knew all,
With the Calvary load, we caused Him
to fall.
And then in a twinkling, I heard Him
move,
The fears He calmed and the guilt He
removed.
I pressed to get closer, and was
turning around . . .
He touched me and filled me; my life
now abounds!
He was dressed in flowing white, from His head to His feet,
His clothes no more stained by the
blood of our sins.
A bundle of joys He had flung on His
back . . .
And His eyes were filled with glee,
for the Gifts in His pack!
His eyes . . . how they
twinkled! His words said, “Come!”
His touch was so gentle – His power
so awesome.
Nail-scarred hands and feet mark the
Father’s Gift,
And now He’s come to see if we’ve
gone adrift.
In His pack was forgiveness, and He
urged each one
To unwrap all the Gifts – to leave
none undone.
A wink of His eye, and a nod of His
head,
Soon gave us reassurance that by His
Spirit we’re led.
He spoke not a word, but looked at
those in the pew . . .
And healed all the hearts and made
them new.
And reaching His arms toward Heaven,
His Home,
He reminded us never more to roam.
He looked longingly into our souls –
yours and mine – back and forth,
Sometimes disappointed, sometimes
pleased, by us at Elevation North.
But I hear Him exclaim as He ascends
Heavenward . . .
“I am the Reason for the Season . .
.
Be ready for My Return –
A Blessed Christmas to all,
Pray away, pray away all!”
-
Adapted from “The Night Before Christmas”
By Clement C.
Moore, into my own personal version,
Just for you
this Christmas, (1993) and now (2014)
The words burned deep in my heart as I returned to reality: the stark reality of God’s Gift of His Son in
a manger – the One Who would hang on the Cross – gift-wrapped for you and me .
. . the stark reality of the lost around the world who receive the Gift of the
Gospel, that is, if someone is willing to go and present it to them . . . the
stark reality of “us” sitting in the pew, listening to the “Gift” of God (His
Word) week after week – and what do we do with that Gift? Do we accept it and unwrap it and live it and
share it? How I pray we do! In these days we live in, we can afford to do
nothing less, my precious friends! You
know, God does visit us at Elevation North, every Sunday – just
like in my story!
You can be sure that this year, the night before Christmas,
Christ will come and visit you . . . whether at home, in church, or out
for a winter’s evening stroll. Invite
Him to walk with you and talk with you.
If you already know Him, it will be a wondrous gift of intimate
conversation! If you’re still wandering
and roaming, He will be asking if He can stop in and bring you His most special
Gift ever – the Gift of Eternal Life.
Please accept it, unwrap it, live it and share it! It’s a Life-Saver . . . packaged with your
name on it. Open it now – just in time
for Christmas!
REMEMBER . . .
God’s
Gift-Book (His Holy Word) tells us, “Be joyful always; pray continually, give
thanks … “
(I Thessalonians 5:16-18a)
(I Thessalonians 5:16-18a)
And my
Christmas wish for you is this: “May God
Himself, the God of peace,
sanctify you through and through.
sanctify you through and through.
May your
whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
The One who
calls you is faithful and He will do it.”
(I Thessalonians 5:23-24)
(I Thessalonians 5:23-24)
And finally,
my Christmas Story echoes these words:
“Pray away, pray away all!”
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
