“TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE JESUS CAME”
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 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 a 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 my 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.
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 a 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 this 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 this 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 was true after all!!!As my Dad ended his sermon with this poem, my heart sank and I began to cry. Lord please let us be ready every minute of our lives to meet you face to face. Please let each of us understand that this poem could come true at any moment. Lord thank you for coming to this Earth as a baby to be the ultimate sacrifice for all. Thank you for loving us so much.Merry Christmas to all the precious Daily Lily Angels and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my KING!!!!!
thedailylily.com 
Thank you Wendy and many thanks to your Dad for bringing forth this message on Christmas Eve. What a chilling thought for the ones that may be drifting to far from the shore.
I am so glad that we have this moment to renew our commitment to Jesus and have a pure heart to worship Him in Spirit and truth this Holiday.
I join with you in wishing all a Merry Christnas and a Happy Birthday to Our soon coming King.
Wendy I had heard this poem along time ago…each Christmas I remember this poem whenever the other story is told(Night before Christmas)and I pray that no one just crawls into bed without really knowing the meaning of Christmas and saying a prayer for those who dont….so that when the Lord does come…He will find the names written in His book….I too thank you and your Father for sharing this…now I can read it and tell others to log on to read it too!…OH Holy Night!…dj
Dear Wendy
Thank you and your Dad for reminding me of this precious poem. My parents had it on a plaque and hung it at Christmas every year. May the Lord Jesus be known to all we care and love. May all be found in the Book of Life. May those outside our circle of knowing come to know Him as well this year. May their uniqueness be made known and may they in turn pray for the ones they know. May they crawl in bed knowing that their prayers have been said. May they know God’s grace and favor and savor His love. May all gather around to taste of the Hope that they share and may none go away hungry, thirty, or sad. May JOY and thanksgiving to Jesus be heard instead of complacency on this JESUS’s special day. Merry Christmas to all and to all may Jesus reign in your lives as you creep into bed and think upon His Amazing Grace. And should He choose to come this Night you and yours will be ready to embrace Him this night.
Wendy, it is a sobering thought to think that many will be found unawares and not ready for His return. This poem your Dad shared awakens us all to this.
As Matt. 24:42 says “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” Lord, help us to be ready and to help others to be ready also. What a wonderful opportunity we have at this Christmas season to share. Thank you and your Dad for doing so.
Wendy today in our church services both Gary and Sara spoke on the same things as this poem speaks on…People being too wrapped up in presents and not in His presence…and how we have as a people of God the responsibility to be that living Nativity…speaking and doing…so that others will know the true meaning of Christmas.. being that star that leads others to Jesus….its alright to give presents but we must not for get why…and if Jesus the King should come what would He find us doing…would He find faith….would He find us sharing His word at our table with those that dont know Him or with those that need to re-committ their lives. (I pray when the King Comes that He will indeed find faith…in us.)…dj
WENDY,
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER HEARD THIS POEM, THANK YOU FOR SHARING IT. AS I READ THRU I GAVE THOUGHT TO WHAT CHRISTMAS IS REALLY ALL ABOUT. I STARTED FEELING SORRY THAT I WAS NOT WITH MY FAMILY. BUT AS I NEARED THE END OF THIS POEM A WARMTH CAME UPON ME AS I FELT THE ARMS OF OUR LORD EMBRACE ME. SOME TIMES PEOPLE LOOSE SIGHT TO WHY WE ARE REALLY HERE. THIS POEM SHOULD BE IN OUR DAILY PRAYERS AS A REMINDER. THANK YOU AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!
The Lord gave me song lyrics last Wednesday as I was driving A1A along the Florida coast near Palm Beach. As I looked across a glorious dawn, a Jade colored sea with the Sun just rising over the horizon these words came to me to the tune of “TOMORROW” (a lead song in the musical ANNIE).
The Son’s coming back tomorrow
He will crack the eastern sky tomorrow, wait & see
The Son’s coming back tomorrow
Coming back to take us up together, you & me
When I’m stuck with TODAY that’s gray & stormy
I remember the truth, He is coming, for me
The Son’s coming back tomorrow,
So you gotta work on till tomorrow, come what may
Tomorrow, tomorrow, He’s coming tomorrow
He’s only a day away.
Peter said in the Word to remember “a thousand”
With the Lord, it is only, in truth, but a day
The Son’s coming back tomorrow
So you gotta work on till tomorrow, come what may
Tomorrow, tomorrow, He’s coming tomorrow
The Truth and the Life, the Way
Tomorrow, tomorrow, He’s coming tomorrow
HE’s only a DAY…..A…..WAY!!
Hallelujah!
Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus, COME!!!!
MG, a wonderful encouraging song. I really like the part, “So you gotta work on till tomorrow…”
Let us all be encouraged by this song and work on and on and on in ’07’