'Twas the Night Before...
by Pastor Bill Pevlor

     Christmas is a celebration of the birth of a king. Not just any king, but the King of Kings. Even so, His entrance into the world, as well as His life and death, was the epitome of humility.

     We celebrate His birth at Christmas and His death and resurrection at Easter but the story doesn’t end there. Jesus is coming back. God’s Word, the Holy Bible says He will return for His faithful believers.

     When He comes the next time it will be a grand and glorious event. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 says, "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever."

     While we celebrate His first coming, let’s also look forward to His spectacular return. Along those lines; the following is a poignant poem with a familiar holiday ring. It’s something I’ve had stuffed in the back of a file for several years. I’m sorry, I don’t remember who gave it to me and I never knew the name of the author who deserves credit.

‘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 baby on 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 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 Jesus was here.

What 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 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 waited too long and thus 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.

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219 State Street, Algoma, WI 54201 
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