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Night before Christmas poem

Two Days Before Christmas {Poem}

Hi my friends!  Its almost Christmas! Are you ready? Have you already been celebrating?  Do you still have a list of things to complete in the two remaining days?

This anonymous poem went around the internet years ago. Since no one knows who wrote it, I took the liberty of changing it a just a bit to make a point for myself and my family. I hope it blesses you with a smile on your face and a pause in your heart as you continue to strive to Keep Christ AS Christmas this year… and as you wrap up the last few days of preparing your heart and home (and gifts, and food, and all of those other things on your to-do lists!) 😉

Two Days Before Christmas. A Poem similar to "The Night Before Christmas." SmellingCoffee.com

Two Days Before Christmas (2015)

Two days before Christmas and all through the town
Not a sign of Baby Jesus was anywhere to be found.
 

The people were all busy with Christmas time chores
Like decorating, and baking, and shopping in stores.
 

No “Away in a manger, no crib for a bed.”
Instead, songs of Santa dressed up in bright red.
 

Mama searched Pinterest while Papa took a nap.
As hour upon hour, the presents they’d wrap.
 

When what from the T.V. did suddenly appear?
A brand new add for a big sale at Sears.
 

So away to the mall they all flew like a flash…
Buying some things on credit, and others with cash!
 

And as they made their way home from their trip to the mall,
Did they think about Jesus? Oh no, not at all.
 

Their lives were so busy with their Christmastime things.
They forgot about Jesus, The Savior, The King.
To pray to the Savior, they had no time to stop…
Because they needed more time to “shop till they dropped!”
 

On Wal-Mart! On K-Mart! On Target! On Penny’s!
 On Hallmark! On Jared’s! And a quick lunch at Denny’s.
 From the big stores downtown to the stores at the mall,
They would dash away, dash away, and visit them all!
 

While at home on the roof, there arose such a clatter
 As Grandpa hung lights with his brand new step ladder.
He hung lights that would flash. He hung lights that would twirl.
Yet, he forgot Jesus… The Light of the World.
 

Christ’s eyes… how they twinkle!
Christ’s Spirit… how merry!
Christ’s love… how enormous!
All our burdens… He’ll carry!

He speaks Living Words, meets all of our needs,
Gifted us Life on Calvary’s tree.

So instead of being busy, overworked, and uptight,
Seek Jesus this Christmas,
He’ll make your heart right.

Original author of the poem is unknown. Adaptations were made by {me} Jennifer Walker. 🙂

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Mat. 6:33 (NLT)

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‘Twas the Week Before Christmas

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Years ago a new “Night Before Christmas” poem circulated through emails (this was before blogs came upon the scene – can we even remember way back then???).  That poem made a wonderful point about the busy-ness we face during Christmas time and the truth that it is often those same “Christmas” activities that drown out God’s call to keep Christmas focused on Jesus.  No one knows who originally wrote the poem, but it has always stirred something within me.  Several years ago, the Lord gave me some adaptations to make to it according to my own personal convictions, and continues to use it in my life year after year.

The Days before Christmas

 
T’was the days before Christmas and all through the town
Not a sign of Baby Jesus was anywhere to be found.
 
The people were all busy with Christmas time chores
Like decorating, and baking, and shopping in stores.
 
No “Away in a manger, no crib for a bed.”
Instead, songs of Santa dressed up in bright red.
 
Mama scanned Pinterest as she shopped online.
While Papa took naps and watched games in real time.
 
When what from the T.V. did suddenly appear?
A brand new ad for a big sale at Sears.
 
So away to the mall they all flew like a flash…
Buying some things on credit, and others with cash!
 
And as they made their way home from their trip to the mall,
Did they think about Jesus? Oh no, not at all.
 
Their lives were so busy with their Christmastime things.
They forgot about Jesus, The Savior, The King.
To pray to the Savior, they had no time to stop…
Because they needed more time to “shop till they dropped!”
 
On Wal-Mart! On Marshalls! On Home Goods! On Target!
 On Dillards! On Khols! And on to Fresh Market!
 From the big stores downtown to the stores in the mall,
They would dash away, dash away, visiting them all!
 
While at home on the roof, there arose such a clatter
 As Grandpa hung lights with his brand new step ladder.
He hung lights that would flash. He hung lights that would twirl.
Yet, he forgot Jesus… The Light of the World.
 
Christ’s eyes… how they twinkle!
Christ’s Spirit… how merry!
Christ’s love… how enormous!
All our burdens… He’ll carry!

So instead of being busy, overworked, and uptight,
Seek Jesus this Christmas, He’ll help make you right.
Your trouble and stresses may not go away,
But Jesus brings Peace to each heart that will stay
Focused on Him and His love for each man,
As seen in His gracious and Eternal plan.

Original author of the poem is unknown.
Adaptations were made by Jennifer Walker.

 “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously,
and he will give you everything you need.”
Mat. 6:33 (NLT)

That was supposed to be the end of this blog post.  But as I was typing the last lines, a 2013 “this is my life now” version of the poem popped in my head.

Just a few more days until our first family gathering will take place here, two more days until the teacher gifts need to be finished and delivered, four more until the church gifts need to be finished and delivered, the house is a mess, not to mention that I never fully finished decorating my porch for Christmas. There are still remnants of fall holding their own next to the red and greenery…  Ugggg….  I was SO WAY AHEAD… then life happened, and now I’m in continual catch-up mode.  The one thing I have done right, by God’s grace alone, He has helped me come when He has called me, and I’ve sought and found Jesus during this Christmas season.

And He has been teaching me that eventually, one way or another, those gifts will be finished and be delivered to their recipients, meals will be prepared, the house will be cleaned up, and my porch will survive the war between simultaneous fall and Christmas decor.  Those things will happen, in time, as the Lord helps me – even if it’s down to the last-minute.  But those things aren’t the most important things about Christmas.  HE is.  The Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace is teaching me to focus on the promise that if I will seek Him first, and set my heart upon His advent, the other things of “Christmas” will either fall into place, or fall off the list.

I’m wondering if anyone else is in the same situation I’m in right now?   If so I offer to you, fresh from my mind and heart, my 2013 Real-Life version of “The Night Before Christmas.”

The 2013 This is My Life One Week Before Christmas Version

‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through this house, 
I’m stirring and hurrying like a wild little mouse…
The coffee is brewing, the tree lights are on.
I’m answering emails on computer and phone.

I thought in the fall that I’d be way ahead,
that gifts would be wrapped and stored under the bed.
But life rarely looks like it does in my dreams
And I’m always late and behind, so it seems.

So now here we are, with seven days till
the shopping and wrapping must stop and stand still.
What to do next? On which list should I start?
I’ve been meeting with Jesus, preparing my heart.

And as for the rest… He’s teaching me to say
if nothing looks perfect, it’s really OK.
With the help of the Lord, I’ll do what I can
and leave the rest of “Christmas” in His capable hand.

To cherish this moment, to  embrace each new day,
to trust in the Lord and not question His way,
Is as sugar and cream to a black cup of joe –
The aroma of Jesus wherever I go.

Jennifer Crawford Walker   Dec. 17, 2013

Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions.
Don’t worry about missing out.
You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Matthew 6:33, MSG

Seeking and finding Jesus, and helping others in our lives to seek and find Him… If we could accomplish just this, then Christmas will be an eternal success.  Much love to you all~

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"The Days Before Christmas"

(A silly, but truth-filled poem)

T’was the days before Christmas and all through the town
Not a sign of Baby Jesus was anywhere to be found.

The people were all busy with Christmas time chores
Like decorating, and baking, and shopping in stores.

No one sang “Away in a manger, no crib for a bed.”
Instead, they sang of Santa dressed up in bright red.

Mama watched Martha while Papa took a nap.
As hour upon hour, the presents they’d wrap.

When what from the T.V. did they suddenly hear?
Except an add, for a big sale at Sears.

So away to the mall they all flew like a flash…
Buying some things on credit, and others with cash!

And as they made their way home from their trip to the mall,
Did they think about Jesus?  Oh no, not at all.

Their lives were so busy with their Christmas time things.
No time to remember Christ Jesus, The Savior, The King.
To pray to the Savior, they had no time to stop…
Because they needed more time to “shop till they dropped!”

On Wal-Mart!  On K-Mart! On Target! On Penny’s!
On Hallmark! On Zales! And a quick lunch at Denny’s.

From the big stores downtown to the stores at the mall,
They would dash away, dash away, and visit them all!

And up on the roof, there arose such a clatter
As Grandpa hung lights with his brand new step ladder.

He hung lights that would flash. He hung lights that would twirl.

Yet, he never considered Jesus… The Light of the World.

Christ’s eyes… how they twinkle! 
Christ’s Spirit… how merry!

Christ’s love… how enormous! 
All our burdens… He’ll carry!

So instead of being busy, overworked, and uptight,
Seek Jesus this Christmas, and all will be right. (Matthew 6:33)
(Author unknown for the original poem.  I added a few lines and changed a few things here and there.)

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