‘Twas the day before Christmas, and while lying in bed,
I thought of God’s mercy, His goodness and grace.
I found myself praying, many thoughts in my head.
I thought of His love for the whole human race.
I thought of so many who were in great need,
Of how God was the answer; yes, the answer indeed.
My mind it was racing, the thoughts going fast,
And I thought to myself, “How long can this last?”
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a vision of God and of Him drawing near.
His eyes were like fire, His hair white as snow,
His robes were so bright with a radiant glow.
And as He drew near, His gaze so intense,
It pierced through my soul, breaking down all defense.
His smile was so loving, so gracious and kind.
It quickly pushed out all the fears in my mind.
He reached out and touched me and just as He did,
My life flashed before me, not a single thing hid.
I wanted to hang down my head in such shame,
For I knew no one else but I was to blame;
For the things I’d thought and the things I had done
Were sins all my own. It wasn’t much fun.
He lifted my head and gazed into my eyes,
He showed me His scars, saying He was my prize.
His blood that was shed was the gift that He gave
So that I could have life and not be enslaved
To all of the things that held me in chains,
To all of life’s sorrows and all of life’s pains.
To endure what He did for my sake was His pleasure
So I could find life. He said, “You are my treasure.”
I wanted to cry, for all through the years
I had questioned and doubted, but He wiped away tears.
He leaned in so close and spoke into my ear.
He whispered so gently, “I want you to hear
The truth of My message.” He said, “I forgive.”
Then He breathed into my soul so that I might live.
And then it all vanished, this vision I had;
But it didn’t end there; I was not sad.
My hope was awakened, my heart was so full.
My joy was restored, my ears were not dull.
My eyes once again saw the goodness in life;
My heart was not troubled, no longer in strife.
You see, on this day I was given a gift
Not wrapped in paper, but one that would lift
A soul from depression, a mind from its grief,
A gift that brought pleasure, release, and relief.
As I reflect on this Christmas Eve,
I ask you a question, “Do you believe
That God came as a baby, but lived as a man,
Died on a cross and then rose again?”
For your sake, He endured all the sorrow and pain,
So you could have life and enjoy all the gain.
So freely He gave, so freely receive
Just confess with your mouth, in your heart you believe.
His grace is sufficient, He’ll make you brand new,
This gift is eternal and it is for you.
He’ll fill you with joy, He’ll bring you such peace
If only your heart to Him you’d release.
May His angels surround you on this Christmas night
To speak of His grace and show you His light.
And now as we’ve come to the end of this story,
May He bless you and keep you and show you His glory.
~ Laura Strack
