Twas the night before Christmas,

The Beloved of God had gathered, Sitting in the simple church pews,

Considering the effects of covid, There were actually quite few.

Others were joining from the comforts of home,

Modern technology that is known as zoom,

Allowed them to be transported live to the Christmas Eve Service

while perhaps relaxing in their pajamas in their own living rooms.

The Beloved of God had come to praise, pray, sing, and such,

To consider for a time the Lord who loves us so much.

They were surrounded by family and friends in this cozy, quaint and beautiful place,

To exchange with each other God’s sweet gifts of grace.

What a well-deserved and much needed break,

From eating too many cookies and chocolate and the bad belly ache.

A reprieve from the shopping and spending with stomachs a churning,

Caused by getting the wrong gift that now needs returning.

The gifts and the reindeer and the whole Santa Claus Christmas scene,

It was all enough to make one feel like a Grinch,

To want to get away, maybe escape to Mt. Crumpett,

Wait, that thought is so disturbing, so terrible, it’s almost obscene!

And so now what was needed was a time of silence, to simply wait,

To quietly ponder and wonder and peacefully contemplate

again that sacred story first told long ago,

Of the birth of the Savior, living proof that God loves us so.

To join gentle Mary, so pure and gentle, so faithful, believing,

That the One sent to her was a miracle, and she was blessed to be receiving,

This gift of God’s child who would warm her heart, but pierce her soul too,

As He completed His mission to give His life for the world, Yes—for me and for you!

His conception would come by the Indwelling Breath of the Spirit of Love,

It was the first gift given at Christmas, this birth of The Child sent from above.

Joseph would take her as his espoused wife,

But the True Father was God the creator of all life.

We’ve come to hear again the message of the Angels,

Delivered to Mary and Elizabeth and lowly shepherds tending sheep,

Who were out in the fields when the Angels began to sing,

With that heavenly chorus how could anyone sleep?

We picture them hastening with wooden staffs in their hands,

Imagining on their way the birth of a king in surroundings quite grand.

But where they were led was a simple stable, some consider it a cave,

In this holy grotto a baby was born with one mission, to save.

Here to a manger, this is where the shepherds were led,

Their lives forever transformed simply by viewing this child

 in a manger where cattle are fed.

And speaking of animals, God loves them too,

The Love of Christmas extends far beyond just me and you.

God loves the birds of the air, and beasts of the field and even church bats,

It’s true, it really is—though you might have a hard time believing that last part Dear Pat!

God loves the fish in the sea, the beasts of the field both short and tall,

God loves each and every one, All Creatures Great and Small.

God loves all living creatures, whether or not it leaves tracks,

The limitless love of God is expressed by the Grinch when he says, “I Love You Max!”

But back to the present, to the tale of this birth,

Which fills us with wonder, and awe, and laughter and mirth.

The birth of Messiah was also announced by a Star,

Which Magi from the East followed from so very far,

And upon their arrival they fell down humbly before Him,

Gifts fit for a King,

To present gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrhh,

(But take a hint here guys:  they would also work quite nicely for her).

The wise men remained for a time, we know not how long,

And then returned to their homes in their far away country,

But they had been changed, and they felt as if they no longer belonged.

We have an idea of what that must’ve been like for them,

And for others who heard the call or saw the sign to follow Him.

For we also have been led gently, moved by God’s Spirit, perhaps a sign in the sky,

To take the long journey of faith, so difficult, demanding, asking questions like “Why, God, O Why?”

Our life journey is but a reflection, maybe an imitation of the journey of Another,

We might call Him our Lord or our Savior or our Friend or our Brother,

But however we know Him, He’s The One who made the journey from heaven above,

A journey fraught with danger, and detours, disappointments, discouragement and appears to end in death,

But it is one that makes live worth living, because it is defined, determined and directed by God’s love.

There it is. Love.  That’s it.  That sums up that first Christmas story

of Bethlehem birth and Angels in glory.

Love is the reason God came to this earth in a simple, sacred, holy and humble birth.

Love is what gives our lives purpose and meaning

From our birth til our death and every moment in betweening!

Love is what assures us that death isn’t punishment for sinning,

It’s just a momentary transition to our eternal life—it’s just a new beginning!

Love is why we give gifts tonight and tomorrow,

A time of great joy to forget all our sorrows.

Love is the reason we gather here tonight . . .  and again and again,

To be reminded in so many ways that Love always Wins.

Love is what makes life so much less of a bummer,

And makes us cheerful not only at Christmas, but in Fall, Spring and Summer.

Love. God’s love.  I could talk about this all night.  And what I just said may have given you a fright. 

But don’t worry, I won’t talk until in the face I am blue, But always remember that not only does God love you—but I Love you too!