‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

A Visit from Christ

Author: Angie Mosteller

Genre: A New Christ Centered Poem

Reading Time (for story text): approx. 3 minutes

Background:

On the night before Christmas, most of us are so distracted by the details associated with a visit from St. Nicholas that we forget about the much more important visit of God, who miraculously entered the world as a man over 2,000 years ago. This “visit” lasted over 30 years as God walked on earth teaching, loving and healing countless people. Ultimately, he gave up his life in order to offer salvation to whoever believed in him. Truly, this is the greatest gift known to man.

Though the following poem uses the famous first line of the classic, its purpose is to turn attention to Jesus and the true significance of Christmas. The book, Fifth Seal, by Bodie and Brock Thoene, inspired the words of the last verse of this poem. The story gives a fictional, though historical, account of the birth of Christ, and depicts what Joseph’s first words to Jesus may have been. Here is the excerpt from Fifth Seal (note that Yosef is the Hebrew name for “Joseph” and Yeshua is the Hebrew name for “Jesus”):

“‘Shalom, little one,’ Yosef whispered. To the carpenter, who had little experience with newborns, the infant looked for all the world like a partially unwrapped Torah scroll. When a synagogue’s ark was opened to deliver the Word of God to a reverent, adoring congregation, the scroll’s royal covering of blue, purple, and scarlet was first laid aside, revealing the humbler, inner wrapping . . . just like now.

Yosef the Tzadik [righteous], a worshipful congregation of one, adored what he saw and rubbed the corner of his eye on his robe’s sleeve . . . .

With a bit of wiggling and squirming, Yeshua freed one hand from the confines of the swaddling. A tiny fist emerged and went to His mouth.

Instinctively, Yosef reached his own calloused hand toward the child’s. Partway there, struck by sudden hesitation, Yosef paused, but the baby’s eyes had already spotted the motion.

A moment later baby Yeshua’s right hand closed around Yosef’s little finger. Yosef’s eyes overflowed onto his cheeks and down into his beard.

‘Shalom,’ he whispered again. ‘Welcome to our –’ Stopping, the carpenter corrected himself. ‘Welcome to your world. You are loved.’”

Through Jesus “all things were made” (John 1:3). The whole world belongs to him, yet he chose to enter it as a helpless infant for our sake. May this poem lead you to reflect on God’s amazing love for us!

Excerpt taken from The Fifth Seal by Bodie and Brock Thoene. Copyright © 2006 by Bodie and Brock Thoene. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.

*********************

Text of the Poem:

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the earth,

Every creature was stirring, awaiting a birth.

The time for Messiah was certainly near,

The prophets foretold it; the Bible was clear.

From the book of beginnings, the very first sin,

God’s word made it clear how His grace entered in.

Born of a virgin, He’d come as a man.

The Creator among us, the time was at hand.

The stars were arranged to show marvelous things,

Setting Wise Men to journey and find the true King.

Shepherds in Bethlehem gazed on the sky,

Longing to see him, their Lord the Most High.

How could they know that the very next night

An angel of God would speak words of delight?

How the Savior was born, it was news of great joy.

In a cloth and a manger they’d find the dear boy.

And a heavenly host would soon join to sing

Of the glory of God and of wonderful things.

He entered creation, set position aside

To show us how deeply his love did abide.

Sin sent us away from our almighty Lord.

He became one of us that we might be restored.

He’s the Prince of our Peace; He’s the one who makes whole.

He is Wisdom Incarnate, a Shepherd of Souls.

He’s the Author of Life; He’s the Ruler of All.

He can offer salvation, on His name we call.

The shepherds and Wise Men would bow to adore

Holy God among men, our greatest reward.

All glory and honor is due to this King.

Let all join in worship; let every tongue sing.

Jesus is Lord, all creation proclaims.

He’s the first and last, He is always the same.

History turned on the first Christmas day,

When God became man in a humble display.

As we think of the manger in which He was laid,

Let our hearts welcome Him to the world He made!

********************

This page was created by:

Back to main Christmas Stories page.

We welcome your ideas! If you have suggestions on how to improve this page, please contact us.

The content for the background and the poem are drawn from our Christmas book and have a copyright © 2008 by Angie Mosteller. You may freely use this material if you cite the source and/or link back to this page.