'Twas The Night Before Christmas

    ''Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the earth
God's people were waiting for their Saviour's birth.
For hundreds of years they had heard it foretold
Of the wonders and majesty theirs to behold.
Isaiah had said  that a Son would be given,
A Child would be born of a Father in Heaven.
A Virgin would bear Him, and give Him a Name;
Emmanuel, God with us, Jesus, the same.

    And every young maiden for centuries past
Had wondered and prayed if she would be asked
To mother the God Child, to bring forth the Son,
To bear the Redeemer,  God's Anointed One.

    But  Micah, the prophet, had said in his day
That the birth of the Saviour would happen this way:-
From the line of King David in Bethlehem small
The Saviour would come for one and for all.
And, true to His promise,  as God always is,
In the fullness of time the world would be His.

     So, God had made ready the world for that night.
The Romans had said that a census was right.
And Mary and Joseph, who'd planned to be wed,
Must leave home in Naz'reth for Beth'lem instead.

    Now, God had already spoken to Mary
Through archangel Gabriel and said not to fear.  He
Had found favour with her and asked her to be
The mother of Jesus, and she did agree.
And Joseph, in fear of what people might say,
Had thought to send poor little Mary away.
But God had said No, that all would be well,
The Child Mary carried was God's and would tell
Of the love of the Father for all of mankind,
And be, for all people, the pathway to find.

    So, Mary and Joseph set off on their trip,
With Joseph on foot and his wife on the hip
Of a donkey. For many a wearying mile
They travelled.  And Mary was all this while
About to give birth to this special Child.
But long was the journey, and slow passed each mile.
And Mary had needed to rest on the way,
So when they arrived and  sought room to stay,
They found that the town was quite full and instead
Of a well needed rest on a comfortable bed,
They were offered ....a stable ....A stable!  Now really!
Would you like to sleep in a stable? You'd feel He'd
Deserve something better ... a palace ... a castle
With hundreds of servants and all of the hassle
That goes with a royal birth!  But no, in a stable,
With straw for a bed and the floor for a table;
With donkeys, and cattle and sheep and a manger;
With only His mother and Joseph this stranger
Arrived in the night. It was quiet and still.
So peaceful, so gentle, a night of good will
To all men.  And Jesus, the Infant, the King,
Could hear angels tell of the wonderful thing
That God had accomplished in Beth'lem that night.
The sky was just full of His angels in flight,
Spreading the news of His coming to all
Who would hear it and come, then, to Bethlehem's stall.

     Some shepherds awake, keeping watch on their sheep
On hillsides, while all of the towns people sleep
Saw angels, and heard them proclaiming abroad
The peace and good will of our Heavenly God.
An angel said Fear not, I bring you good news
Which shall be to all people, if they so choose.
The Saviour is born who is Jesus, the Lord,
For Almighty God has been true to His word.
He promised a Saviour, and this very night
Your eyes can behold Him, that wonderful sight.
In Bethlehem small, at the inn, in a stable,
You'll find Baby Jesus, so come if you're able.
And leaving their flocks they went hurrying down
To see this magnificent happening in town.
And, just as the angel had said it would be
They found Baby Jesus at His mother's knee.

    The Infant, so tiny so gentle, so lowly,
Is King of Eternity, Mighty and Holy.
And, true to His promise, as God always is,
In the fullness of time the world will be His.
So, come now, His people, and join in the song
That echoes forever, through all ages long.
Join shepherds and angels who worship Him still,
For He came to earth to do His Father's will.
He humbled Himself as a Babe in a manger,
And left all in Heaven to live as a stranger
Among those He loved but who knew not His ways,
And showed us His Kingdom.  Oh, give Him all praise.
Come worship, adore Him for now is the season,
And God's sacrifice of Him that is the reason.
He brought peace to earth as the  first Christmas gift.
The peace in the heart  that to Him we lift.
'Tis yours for the taking, and with it comes love,
And joy in abundance, His gifts from above.
Just welcome this Baby whose birthday we hold,
And live in His promise that never grows old.
For, from Adam's fall to the Saviour's return,
If naught else but one thing, this we must learn
For those He has called, who are called by His name,
His promised Eternity still is the same.
For, true to His promise, as God always is,
In the fullness of time the world will be His.
So join in the chorus and bow down before Him.
Oh come, all ye faithful, come worship, adore Him.
 

Daisy Essery