Oue preparations for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord hopefully led to a wonderful celebration of Christ's first coming. Our preparations for his second coming are ongoing and we hope will lead us to a forever celebration in the joys of eternity.
The following was something I used in my homily at the Christmas Eve Masses this year. I have had numerous requests for a copy of it and since those who came for the Christmas morning Masses didn't hear it, I hope you will take time to read and ponder what is said in this takeoff from the Christmas Story, "Twas The Night Before Christmas." This is called, "Twas The Night Before Jesus Came."
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE JESUS CAME
Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house.
Their Bible were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.
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 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!
The following was something I used in my homily at the Christmas Eve Masses this year. I have had numerous requests for a copy of it and since those who came for the Christmas morning Masses didn't hear it, I hope you will take time to read and ponder what is said in this takeoff from the Christmas Story, "Twas The Night Before Christmas." This is called, "Twas The Night Before Jesus Came."
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE JESUS CAME
Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house.
Their Bible 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 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 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
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with 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 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
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 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!