Twas the Night Before Jesus Came

"Twas  the night before Jesus came all though 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 in 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 proclaming that Jesus is here

 With a light like the sun sending forth bright light

I knew  in a moment this must be THE DAY !!

  The light off 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 cried  as they rose out of sight ;

     Oh , if only I had ben 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 !!

by Z.  White