Twas the night before Jesus came

By Lou Pinter

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 why 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 the 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 of 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 standing looking 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 it comes to the last call

We’ll find that the Bible was true after all!