Christmas Tonight!

I love this time of year! Don’t we all?  (Most of us, certainly.)  The thing that strikes me is how much we have to do and yet we still manage to throw in a few extras every day. I remember my mom saying, “I love Christmas. People do such nice things.” It occurs to me that everything Jesus touches becomes beautiful.  Many say that our Christmas holiday was developed to take the place of a pagan winter festival. That may be so. I have not done the research (‘scuse me for that), but here’s what I know: Christmas is now a beautiful and warm time because of Jesus.

The following verses are on my mind. Notice that they speak of Jesus coming to every place and person, of his care for sorrow and his love of light.  The words are by Phillips Brooks. Enjoy!

Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas to-night!
Christmas in lands of the fir tree and pine,
Christmas in lands of the palm tree and vine;
Christmas where snow-peaks stand solemn and white,
Christmas where corn-fields lie sunny and bright;
Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas to-night.

Christmas where children are hopeful and gay,
Christmas where old men are patient and gray,
Christmas where peace, like a dove in its flight,
Broods o'er brave men in the thick of the fight;
Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas to-night.

For the Christ-child who comes is the Master of all,
No place too great and no cottage too small;
The Angels who welcome Him sing from the height,
"In the city of David, a King in His might."
Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas to-night.

Then let every heart keep its Christmas within
Christ's pity for sorrow, Christ's hatred for sin.
Christ's care for the weakest, Christ's courage for right,
Christ's dread of the darkness, Christ's love of the light.
Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas to-night.

So the stars of the midnight which compass us round
Shall see a strange glory, and hear a sweet sound,
And cry, "Look! the earth is aflame with delight,
O sons of the morning, rejoice at the sight."
Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas to-night.

--Sherry Poff