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  • T'was the night before

    bestgift.jpg

    Thanks for this, MelMak.


    Securely anchored to the Rock amid every storm of trial, testing or tribulation.

  • #2
    True Night Before Christmas

    by John W Cook

    T'was the night before Christmas, when all through the earth
    God's people were waiting the time of Christ's birth.

    The various prophecies, God-given with care
    Came to pass on one night in Judea there.

    The people were scattered through Israel's land
    Paying their taxes at Caesar's command

    Young Mary, with Joseph, espoused to be wed,
    Descendants of David to Bethlehem sped.

    T'was late in the evening they arrived there that day
    They found at the inn there was no place to stay.

    Away in a stable, no place for a guest,
    They settled that couple, to find them some rest.

    The star in the sky shone unusually bright
    To herald the event to take place that night.

    When there, on the hay, her time now full come,
    The virgin, dear Mary, gave birth to God's Son.

    With no crib to lie in, a stable for sheep
    Became for our Saviour a place for His sleep.

    Moreover, that night in a field calm and still
    Rough shepherds were resting serenely until

    Through the dark of the sky God's glory shone round.
    All quaking and frightened, they fell to the ground.

    To these as they trembled God's messenger came
    Good tidings of great joy to all to proclaim.

    "For you on this day in the city close by
    A baby, your Saviour, in a manger does lie.

    So go to the stable, the baby you'll find.
    In swaddling clothes He lies there entwined"

    And then in a twinkling 'twas heard through the air
    The praise of the angels assembled up there.

    To God in the highest all glory and praise,
    Goodwill amongst men and peace through their days."

    When the angels returned then to heaven above,
    There stood the shepherds amazed by God's love.

    A moment they wondered, then hastily ran.
    Found Mary and Joseph and God's gift to man.

    The baby, named Jesus. man's Saviour from sin,
    Had come as was promised, His work to begin.

    His eyes not quite opened how much they would see
    Of hatred and failures, of man's misery.

    The shepherds, the wonder, made known as they went,
    Told all of the Gift that to mankind was sent.

    The star, that same star that proclaimed His birth,
    Was shining for people all over this earth,

    The wise men, they saw it and knew what it meant,
    The Saviour God promised this world had been sent

    They left all to find Him. a baby, 'tis true:
    He came as their Saviour; He came for us too.

    Once more it is Christmas. the time of Christ's birth.
    A holiday season: is that all it's worth?

    No, there's hope in this message, forgiveness from sin
    For those who receive Him, who let Him come in

    Let's remember HIS birthday, let's celebrate right
    Merry Christmas to all. to all a good night.

    Comment


    • #3
      The Night Before Christmas
      A more spiritual version of the famous Christmas story

      By: Sister St. Thomas, B.N.D. de N

      Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the town,
      St. Joseph was searching, walking up roads and down;
      Our Lady was waiting, so meek and so mild,
      While Joseph was seeking a place for the Child.

      The children were nestled, each snug in their beds,
      The grown-ups wouldn't bother, there's no room they said;
      When even the innkeeper sent them away,
      Joseph was wondering, where they would stay.

      He thought of the caves in the side of the hills,
      Lets go there said Mary, it's silent and still;
      The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
      Made pathways of light for their tired feet to go.

      And there in a cave, in a cradle of hay,
      Our Savior was born on that first Christmas Day!
      The Father was watching in heaven above,
      He sent for His angels, His couriers of love.

      More rapid than eagles God's bright angels came;
      Rejoicing and eager as each heard his name;
      Come Power, Come Cherubs, Come Virtues, Come Raphael,
      Come Thrones and Dominions, come Michael and Gabriel.

      Now fly to the Earth, where My poor people live,
      Announce the glad tiding My Son comes to give;
      The Shepherds were watching their flocks on this night,
      And saw in the heavens and unearthly light.

      The Angels assured them, they'd nothing to fear,
      It's Christmas they said, the Savior is here!
      They hastened to find Him, and stood at the door,
      Till Mary invited them in to adore.

      He was swaddled in bands from His head to His feet,
      Never did the Shepherds see a baby so sweet!
      He spoke not a word, but the shepherds all knew,
      He was telling them secrets and blessing them too.

      Then softly they left Him, The Babe in the hay,
      And rejoiced with great joy on that first Christmas Day;
      Mary heard them exclaim as they walked up the hill,
      Glory to God in the Highest, Peace to men of good will!

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by mossrose View Post
        [ATTACH=CONFIG]33902[/ATTACH]

        Thanks for this, MelMak.
        The best part is that it will drive CP to distraction.

        Enter the Church and wash away your sins. For here there is a hospital and not a court of law. Do not be ashamed to enter the Church; be ashamed when you sin, but not when you repent. – St. John Chrysostom

        Veritas vos Liberabit<>< Learn Greek <>< Look here for an Orthodox Church in America<><Ancient Faith Radio
        sigpic
        I recommend you do not try too hard and ...research as little as possible. Such weighty things give me a headache. - Shunyadragon, Baha'i apologist

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        • #5
          Originally posted by One Bad Pig View Post
          The best part is that it will drive CP to distraction.

          Yes, well, I'm pleased to say that neither MelMak nor I actually wrote it.


          Securely anchored to the Rock amid every storm of trial, testing or tribulation.

          Comment


          • #6
            Sheesh.. what is it with you folks, always bringing religion into Christmas

            Comment


            • #7
              T'was the night before

              Ok. Opening up this thread for poems (tasteful ones, please) based on the classic Christmas poem.

              Years ago, the store where MelMak worked had, the first Tuesday of every month, what they called "10% day", where you received that amount off your grocery bill. They still do that, but that's beside the point.

              Inevitably, every first Tuesday of December was the busiest day of the year, at least from my pov as a shopper.

              So, MelMak and I wrote this poem one year. It was taken to the store and posted every year for a while. The "elf" in the story is based on the owner of the store at the time, who worked as hard as his employees!

              A LITTLE LESS THAN A MONTH BEFORE CHRISTMAS


              'Twas early December and all through the store
              Every creature was stirring -- there were shoppers galore.
              The store was too full! The employees all said
              That they wished they were home, all snug warm in their beds.

              The checkouts were busy with shoppers and baskets,
              And courtesy clerks tried to not blow their gaskets
              By trying to help every customer there
              By bagging and packing and stowing with care
              Each item that came through the scanners their way --
              They had to be extra careful today!

              No eggs on the bottom -- oops! Squashed by a can!
              (No pickle jars loose to get lost in the van,
              Found there the next day, all frozen and numb
              After a search by a frustrated Mom
              Who THOUGHT she had bought them but couldn't be sure
              'Cuz they weren't in the fridge --
              Where she'd reasoned they were).

              No errors today -- not this day of all days!
              Mistakes on a ten-percent Tuesday don't pay.
              So everyone did all they could to be wary,
              And served each new shopper with greeting quite merry.

              The morning flew quickly, as busy days do.
              When lunch came they all thought for sure they'd get through
              The rest of the day with no problem, or worry
              In spite of the still pressing customer flurry.

              But, all of a sudden there rose such a clatter
              That everyone went to see what was the matter!
              To the meat freezers cold, to the sausage display
              The whole staff went swiftly to enter the fray!
              There, what to each wondering eye did appear
              But a green-aproned elf -- his eyes all full of tears!



              He sprawled on the floor, arms and legs all a-splay,
              And scattered around him in great disarray
              Were large frozen turkeys, some bigger by far
              Than could possibly fit into anyone's car!

              "Too many," the elf moaned. "Too big," he did say.
              "How will they all fit into the display?
              I've tried and I've tried but they won't all go in --
              The freezer's already full up to the brim!"

              The cashiers and clerks and the meat cutters too
              Helped pick up the turkeys. They knew what to do.
              As one gentle staff member helped the elf up
              And led him away, they all heard him hiccup,

              "I need a vacation. I need a long rest.
              No other owner has gone through this test!
              From now on I'll leave all the poultry to others.
              I'm going home now and hide under my covers!"

              The rest of the day passed quite well, with no grief.
              At closing time everyone sighed in relief.
              They farewell'd each other with words of great cheer --
              "No more ten-percent Tuesdays --
              at least till next year!”


              Securely anchored to the Rock amid every storm of trial, testing or tribulation.

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by mossrose View Post
                So, MelMak and I wrote this poem one year.
                For the record, I wrote the first stanza and mossy took it from there and wrote the rest of it.
                ~ Russell ("MelMak")

                "[Sing] and [make] melody in your heart to the Lord." -- Ephesians 5:19b

                Fight spam!

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                • #9
                  It was a group effort! All 2 of us!

                  There are a couple of songs like that, too!


                  Securely anchored to the Rock amid every storm of trial, testing or tribulation.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    didn't you already start a thread on this? http://www.theologyweb.com/campus/sh...808#post599808

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by MankyScotsGit View Post
                      Sheesh.. what is it with you folks, always bringing religion into Christmas
                      Enter the Church and wash away your sins. For here there is a hospital and not a court of law. Do not be ashamed to enter the Church; be ashamed when you sin, but not when you repent. – St. John Chrysostom

                      Veritas vos Liberabit<>< Learn Greek <>< Look here for an Orthodox Church in America<><Ancient Faith Radio
                      sigpic
                      I recommend you do not try too hard and ...research as little as possible. Such weighty things give me a headache. - Shunyadragon, Baha'i apologist

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        'Twas the night before Festivus and all through Queens,
                        Not a Costanza was yelling...as strange as it seems.
                        The family was sleeping, just waiting for light.
                        Saving their strength for the upcoming fight.

                        At the crack of dawn on December twenty-three,
                        Frank put up the pole... instead of a tree.
                        Estelle prepared the meal that would start the rite,
                        Not a laugh or a smile was anywhere in sight.

                        George dreaded this hour that came every year,
                        The airing of grievances would soon be here.
                        Frank stood at the table and bellowed outloud,
                        "So who's got a complaint amongst this crowd?"

                        "You two are crazy and have wrecked my life!",
                        Cried George at his parents who mocked him for spite.
                        "A Lloyd Braun you'll never be " was Estelle's refrain,
                        "Why should I try,ma?... the guy's insane!"

                        "Enough with the grievances," Frank said with some glee,
                        "Now which one of you two is wrestling me?"
                        "So feats of strength you want? Let them begin here,
                        "It's your turn to fight him, mom... he beat me last year."

                        The battle was started, the screaming was lyrical,
                        The fact no one got hurt was .... ANOTHER FESTIVUS MIRACLE!!!!
                        Enter the Church and wash away your sins. For here there is a hospital and not a court of law. Do not be ashamed to enter the Church; be ashamed when you sin, but not when you repent. – St. John Chrysostom

                        Veritas vos Liberabit<>< Learn Greek <>< Look here for an Orthodox Church in America<><Ancient Faith Radio
                        sigpic
                        I recommend you do not try too hard and ...research as little as possible. Such weighty things give me a headache. - Shunyadragon, Baha'i apologist

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          ‘Twas the night before Festivus
                          And all through my pad
                          We were scrounging every scrap
                          Of mystery meat to be had

                          We looked to the west
                          We looked to the east
                          For the perfect loaf to serve
                          For the Festivus feast!

                          Tomorrow we dine
                          On questionable fair
                          And then the grievances
                          We shall each air

                          My girlfriend, she’ll recall
                          Something I said
                          Two years ago
                          And smack me in the head

                          And I, in return,
                          Will turn up the heat
                          Reminding her she leaves
                          Down the toilet seat

                          The feats of strength
                          Astound us a lot
                          For I once carried her mother
                          As though she weighed naught

                          My girlfriend moved,
                          Not to be outdone,
                          Took off her clothes
                          For some Feat of Strength fun.

                          For her Feat of Strength,
                          A Festivus Miracle,
                          Was to do her stripper dance
                          On the Festivus pole!

                          Hanakkuh is somber,
                          Christmas too crass.
                          But a Festivus for the rest of us
                          Is always a blast
                          Enter the Church and wash away your sins. For here there is a hospital and not a court of law. Do not be ashamed to enter the Church; be ashamed when you sin, but not when you repent. – St. John Chrysostom

                          Veritas vos Liberabit<>< Learn Greek <>< Look here for an Orthodox Church in America<><Ancient Faith Radio
                          sigpic
                          I recommend you do not try too hard and ...research as little as possible. Such weighty things give me a headache. - Shunyadragon, Baha'i apologist

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