Twas The Night Before Jesus Came

"Twas the night before Jesus came"

‘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 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 on 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 hnng 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