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The True Meaning Of Christmas Twas the Night Before Christmas Twas the Night Before Christmas[2] Twas the Night Before Jesus Came |
The True Meaning Of Christmas
[Reproduced with permission]
In today's day and time, It's easy to lose sight, Of the true meaning of Christmas And one special night. When we go shopping, We say "How much will it cost?" Then the true meaning of Christmas, Somehow becomes lost. Amidst the tinsel, glitter And ribbons of gold, We forget about the child, Born on a night so cold. The children look for Santa In his big, red sleigh Never thinking of the baby Whose bed was made of hay. In reality when we look Into the night sky, We don't see a sleigh But a star, burning bright and high. A faithful reminder, Of that night so long ago, And of the child we call Jesus, Whose love, the world would know. ~Brian K. Walters~author's site List
Out of the bosom of the Air. Out of the cloud-folds of her garments shaken, Over the woodlands brown and bare, Over the harvest-fields forsaken, Silent and soft and slow Descends the snow. Even as our cloudy fancies take Suddenly shape in some divine expression, Even as the troubled heart doth make In the white countenance confession, The troubled sky reveals The grief it feels This is the poem of the air, Slowly in silent syllables recorded; This is the secret of despair, Long in its cloudy bosom hoarded, Now whispered and revealed To wood and field.~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow~ List
As I in hoary winter's night stood shivering in the snow, Surprised I was with sudden heat which made my heart to glow; And lifting up a fearful eye to view what fire was near, A pretty babe all burning bright did in the air appear; Who, though scorched with excessive heat, such floods of tears did shed, As though his floods should quench his flames, which with his tears were fed. "Alas," quoth he, "but newly born, in fiery heats I fry, Yet none approach to warm their hearts, or feel my fire but I! My faultless breast the furnace is, the fuel wounding thorns, Love is the fire, and sighs the smoke, the ashes shame and scorns; The fuel justice layeth on, and mercy blows the coals, The metal in this furnace wrought are men's defiled souls, For which, as now on fire I am to work them to their good, So will I melt into a bath to wash them in my blood." With this he vanished out of sight and swiftly shrunk away, And straight I called unto mind that it was Christmas Day.~Robert Southwell~ List
Heap on more wood! - the wind is chill; But let it whistle as it will, We’ll keep our Christmas merry still. Each age has deem’d the new-born yea The fittest time for festal cheer: Even, heathen yet, the savage Dane At Iol more deep the mead did drain; High on the beach his galleys drew, And feasted all his pirate crew; Then in his low and pine-built hall Where shields and axes deck’d the wall They gorged upon the half-dress’d steer; Caroused in seas of sable beer; While round, in brutal jest, were thrown The half-gnaw’d rib, and marrow-bone: Or listen’d all, in grim delight, While Scalds yell’d out the joys of fight. Then forth, in frenzy, would they hie, While wildly loose their red locks fly, And dancing round the blazing pile, They make such barbarous mirth the while, As best might to the mind recall The boisterous joys of Odin’s hall. And well our Christian sires of old Loved when the year its course had roll’d, And brought blithe Christmas back again, With all his hospitable train. Domestic and religious rite Gave honour to the holy night; On Christmas Eve the bells were rung; On Christmas Eve the mass was sung: That only night in all the year, Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear. The damsel donn’d her kirtle sheen; The hall was dress’d with holly green; Forth to the wood did merry-men go, To gather in the mistletoe. Then open’d wide the Baron’s hall To vassal, tenant, serf and all; Power laid his rod of rule aside And Ceremony doff’d his pride. The heir, with roses in his shoes, That night might village partner choose; The Lord, underogating, share The vulgar game of ‘post and pair’. All hail’d, with uncontroll’d delight, And general voice, the happy night, That to the cottage, as the crown, Brought tidings of salvation down. The fire, with well-dried logs supplied, Went roaring up the chimney wide; The huge hall-table’s oaken face, Scrubb’d till it shone, the day to grace, Bore then upon its massive board No mark to part the squire and lord. Then was brought in the lusty brawn, By old blue-coated serving-man; Then the grim boar’s head frown’d on high, Crested with bays and rosemary. Well can the green-garb’d ranger tell, How, when, and where, the monster fell; What dogs before his death to tore, And all the baiting of the boar. The wassel round, in good brown bowls, Garnish’d with ribbons, blithely trowls. There the huge sirloin reek'd; hard by Plum-porridge stood, and Christmas pie; Nor fail’d old Scotland to produce, At such high tide, her savoury goose. Then came the merry makers in, And carols roar’d with blithesome din; If unmelodious was the song, It was a hearty note, and strong. Who lists may in their mumming see Traces of ancient mystery; White shirts supplied the masquerade, And smutted cheeks the visors made; But, O! what maskers, richly dight, Can boast of bosoms half so light! England was merry England, when Old Christmas brought his sports again. ‘Twas Christmas broach’d the mightiest ale; ‘Twas Christmas told the merriest tale; A Christmas gambol oft could cheer The poor man’s heart through half the year.~Sir Walter Scott~ List
I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along The unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Till, ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, A chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Then from each black, accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South, And with the sound The carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men! It was as if an earthquake rent The hearth-stones of a continent, And made forlorn The households born Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And in despair I bowed my head; "There is no peace on earth," I said: "For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!" Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead; nor doth he sleep! The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men!"~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow~ List
A selection of Christmas poetry is never complete without Clement C Moore's Christmas poem. There are many alternative versions but here is the original plus a couple of what I think are thought-provoking alternatives. Should any claims be made as to authorship please let me know so they can be credited.
Twas the Night Before Christmas
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below, When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer, With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name; ‘Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donder and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!’ As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky; So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of toys, and St Nicholas too. And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound, He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack. His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow; The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose; He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night".
~Clement Clarke Moore~ List
'Twas the Night Before Christmas
'Twas the first night of Christmas a long time ago The hillside was peaceful, the moon was aglow. The world couldn't know from what happened before That men would remember this night evermore. The sheep on the hillside--their days journey over Were dreaming sweet dreams of a field full of clover. The shepherds were watchful while guarding their flock The earth was their pillow, the stars were their clock. Then all of a sudden, they jumped at the sight Of the sky all ablaze with a heavenly light. They huddled in fear, then they started to rise As the lightening-like flash tore open the skies. The heavens were split by the silvery ray. The dark disappeared and the night became day. And lo, at the end of the rainbow of light Appeared then an angel to banish their fright. The angel brought news of a birth in a manger And bade them to hasten to welcome the stranger. For Mary had just given birth to a boy Whose coming would bring so much comfort and joy. A choir of angels looked down from the sky And heavenly voices were heard from on high: Peace be on earth and good will to all men. The Savior has come on this night, Amen. The heavenly angels then faded from sight. The sky once again turned from day to night. The shepherds all quietly rose from the ground And hurried to go where the child would be found. As they reached Bethlehem and the inn was in sight It led like a path to a soft little bed And shone very tenderly on a child's head. The child in the manger was sleeping so sound His eyes were still closed, as the shepherds stood round. Thousands of years would be warmed by the glow. Guided by light from a bright shining star Came a pilgrimage led of three kings from afar. They were dressed in the finest of satins and lace. Their complexions were that of an Orient race. The three wealthy kings were wise men and proud But they went to the Christ child and solemnly bowed. They came bearing treasures of incense and gold To that sweet little child, still not very old. The star in the sky twinkled down from above The world was awakened to kindness and love. The past was forgotten, the future was bright And the spirit of Christmas was born on that night.~Author Unknown~ List
'Twas the Night Before Jesus Came
T'was the night before Jesus came and all thru the house Not a creature was praying, not one in the house. Their Bible's were lain on the shelf without care, In hope 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 in 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 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 sound, While all the rest were left standing around I fell to my knees, but it was too late; I had waited to 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.~Author Unknown~ List