A Vist From Saint Nicholas is definitely a famous poem. Almost everybody can remember at least the first four lines. ‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through house…not a creature was stirring. Not even a mouse. Remember? Yeah, it makes for rhythmic poetry. And it presents a great description of Santa Claus. But it’s as far removed from what Christmas is about as the East is from the West.
Because when it comes to Christmas, ’twas the night itself that holds the wonder.
And the night before that first Christmas was part of a struggle for some newlyweds. They had made a hard journey to a crowded town to obey some census rules of that time. And when they arrived, there were no available rooms. So, they actually slept in the same outbuilding where livestock were kept.
And on top of all that…the woman was pregnant. And when I say pregnant, I mean about to give birth. Matter of fact, the night they spent with the livestock was the night she gave birth.
Can you imagine?
Basically nine months pregnant, and you travel, by donkey, across harsh land. And you get to your destination only to find there’s no comfortable bed ready…much less a chocolate mint on your pillow.
Then, your husband tells you he’s arranged for you to sleep on a bed of hay. In a barn. With smelly animals.
And then…you go into labor.
Yeah, that’s an interesting way for a baby to be born, to say the least.
But we’re not talking about an ordinary baby. And we’re not talking about an ordinary night. Because ’twas the night when the Light of the world would be born. And no one would ever be the same again.
Sadly, many love the darkness
Instead of the loving Light.
But to those who choose to follow,
Jesus gives them His birthright.
Stay tuned,
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