"Christmas Eve"

Horses fed and cattle, too,

It’s been a long, cold day,

And now we all sit down to eat,

And then hear Daddy say,

Let’s build up the fire,

In that old fireplace,

And sing a Christmas song or two,

And every smiling face,

Is there because we’re thankful,

To have this time again,

And Dad takes down the Good Book,

And reads the part back when,

A baby in a manger,

Was born with angels’ song,

And shepherds came to worship,

But didn’t stay too long.

And magi from a distant land,

Followed that bright star,

Gave the child some special gifts,

They traveled from afar.

Anna and old Simeon,

Saw He was the one,

God had sent to save the world,

Messiah, God’s own son.

A wicked king so evil,

Tried to take his life,

And killed a lot of baby boys,

Spreading death and strife.

But God made sure he didn’t die,

It simply was not time,

But one day He’d lay down His life,

In God’s plan so sublime.

The baby there in Bethlehem,

Was Christ of Calvary,

Born into this world to die,

For everyone, you see.

And then Dad says he’s finished,

And soon we’ll go to sleep,

But I can’t help but think about,

The promises God keeps.

Everything He ever said,

His Word is always true,

And everything He promised,

Is exactly what He’ll do.

On the eve of Christmas,

This year even more,

Claim the Christmas blessing,

The Good Lord has in store.

“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of His servant David, just as He promised…” (Luke 1:68-70, NLT)

Our God is a promise-keeper. Time and again the Bibles presents the faithfulness of God to do what He says He will do. But the ultimate promise concerned the Messiah. Prophets shouted and whispered it for centuries, and when the time was exactly right, God acted on His words. Do not let familiarity with the Christmas story cause you to lose its wonder. God has come, just as He said. Praise the Lord.

Lord, help us celebrate Your coming into this world, just as You promised, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Jack Sorenson, used by permission. Thanks, Jack, and God bless you.