Given all that's going on in my personal life and with my health, I have not yet had a chance before now to post about Christmas. I have a Christmas tradition on this blog of posting the same poem every year, then sharing my testimony of the true meaning of Christmas. It is my hope that, as I do so, the true meaning of Christmas will sink deeply into the hearts of all who read what I have to say.
This poem took on personal meaning to me when I was a young man and I first became aware of it. The first time I read it was because it had been shared in the December edition of the newsletter for my parent's ward. It really spoke to me, and each time I have shared it, I have used it as an opportunity for me to appreciate anew the wonder and majesty of the holiday season, wherein the Savior's birth is celebrated. As most of you are probably aware, research shows that Christ was actually born in the spring, and that we celebrate his birth in December only because that's when the world marks it. Modern revelation has identified Christ's actual birthday to be the same as the date of the restoration of the gospel, April 6.
It is remarkable to contemplate that the mission of the babe born in Bethlehem neither began there, nor ended on Calvary's cross. His mission and purpose was and will forever be eternal and everlasting. Without regard for his own comfort and life, He willingly gave the utmost sacrifice, His life, to redeem all mankind, not only every inhabitant that ever was or ever will be on earth, but also, and more amazingly, any one of God's spiritual offspring that were born in other worlds that have been, are, and will yet be. We owe so much more than we can ever repay to our remarkable Savior, who gave all that we might be able to return to Him and to our Heavenly Father and live eternally. The gift or redemption He offers to all, no matter their lot in life or how high or how lowly their station. Ours is the task to live in such a manner that we will be ready and worthy to greet Him when He comes again. That He will come is as sure and certain to me as is the fact that I live and breathe.
When considering all of this, I hope we will step away from what has become the hustle and bustle of the season, that we will overlook the commercialism and ill feelings that come with the imperfection of this world and especially in this season.
With all that in mind, I share this poem. I hope it will touch all of you as much as it has always touched me. May the true spirit of Christmas fill the hearts and minds of all who read this, and may we ever remember to always act with charity, the pure love of Christ, and reach out with that charity to bless the lives of all those with whom we come in contact. That this may be our privilege and our destiny is my humble prayer, as I leave this poem and this post with you, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
‘Twas the Night
Before the Savior Came
‘Twas the night before Our Savior came and all through the
house,
Not a person was praying, not one in the house.
Their scriptures were lain on the shelf without care,
Thinking Our Savior would not come there.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the late show, while I took a nap.
Where 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 our Savior was here!
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray,
I knew in a moment it must be the day!
The beauty of His face made me cover my head,
It was Our Savior returning just like he 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 names of every saved man.
He spoke not a word, as He searched for my name.
Then 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 read, 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 thus sealed my fate.
I stood and cried as they rose out of sight,
“Oh, if only I’d been ready tonight.”
In the words of this poem, the meaning is clear,
The coming of Our Savior is drawing near.
There is only one life and when comes the last call,
We will find that the scriptures were true, after all....
