The Day After Christmas

'Twas the day after Christmas
And all through the town
Few knew or cared
That the Savior was born.

They had slept through His birth
When the angels did sing,
So deep was their sleep
That they heard not a thing.

‘Tis business as usual . . .
But wait, who is that,
Riding high on their camels,
Precious gifts in their sacks?

They stop their procession.
Their camels kneel down.
They’re now off of their mounts,
And they’re asking around.

They talk of a king child..
They mention a star.
They’ve come from the East,
Whence they followed afar.

No one knows of a king,
And they’ve not seen his star.
"Although, there’s talk by some shepherds
. . .Well, . . .there’s a babe here not far."

The three find the house,
And a babe in a bed.
There they find it is true
What the prophesies read.

They know He’s a king!
Something deep down inside
Calls forth their worship,
Replaces their pride.

Down on their knees
Their position deferred,
They offer their gifts . . .
Gold, frankincense, myrrh.

As we think of the news,
Just how could it be
‘Twas just given to shepherds
And these travelers three?

Where is the nation,
The people so blessed,
Who were prophesies given,
Yet in ignorance rest?

Where are the priests
And the scholars so smart?
Where are the students,
Their learning to heart?

The angels of Heaven,
With no little commotion,
In excitement and joy
Contained not their emotion.

(Earlier) They sought for some people
To help them proclaim.
Their search was quite thorough
But might near in vain.

From house to house,
And church to church,
With great expectation
They continued their search.

At the peoples disinterest
In shocked disbelief,
Their radiant joy
Almost turns into grief.

One angel pauses
In a school Scripture class,
As a student a question
On the Messiah asks.

Could it be, thinks the angel
Here are some who are willing
To be used, and are ready
For the Spirit’s infilling?

Then sadly he turns,
For he hears the condition
As teacher and students
Discuss the predictions.

The students quite eager,
Accept what is taught
The whole time ignoring
What Scripture has wrought.

The rabbi’s pat answers,
Almost all human reason,
Benumb the poor students
Thus they missed the true season.

All the people seemed bound
By life’s earthly things,
Why, even their worship
Was just a routine.

In the church’s high circles
Perversion was rife.
Even their fasting
Had turned into strife.

By the Spirit, the people
Were not being led.
Little wonder their interest
Was practically dead.

Meanwhile . . . In Bethlehem,
Meaning quote, "House of bread"
Heaven’s messengers mourn
Seeing people not fed.

Still quite amazed
At the spiritual dearth,
They wonder who else
Might hear of Christ’s birth.

When all of a sudden,
Interrupting their grief,
A detachment of angels
Bursts in from the East.

With excitement they tell
Of three honest seekers
Who are willing to let
God Himself be their teacher.

And how as they study
And the mysteries unravel,
To follow the star,
They even now travel.

A little while later,
Things had just settled down,
When one angel bursts in
From just outside town.

"I’ve found some poor shepherds."
He sang in delight.
"Why, I heard their prayers
On this very night."

"They talk of the Scriptures
And pray for more light,
They long for the Christ . . .
Their hearts sure look right."

"Who will listen to shepherds?"
Asks one messenger.
"They have no preaching license
Or degrees to be sure!"

"They’re not trained in literature
Nor oratorical skills,
With no influence at all . . .
Might not this gospel be killed?"

"God does not respect persons,"
Was the angels reply,
"They have asked, we must tell them,
And they’re right here close by!"

"I’m with you!" "Me too!"
Were the angels’ glad cries.
With a song, they were off
Out into the night.

And, so we see
How it happened that night.
Those thought wise were passed by
And the "foolish" brought light.

And so it has been
In every age since,
The quote "learned" most always
Have rejected the Prince.

But now, this time,
The Prince is the King,
And the prophesies tell us
He’s coming again.

Will we be to busy
To watch and to wait?
Now is the time
To consider our fate!

Before we can be ready
For our coming King,
This time, in our hearts
He must be born again.

So prepare Him a place.
The stables won’t do!
For He wants to come in
Bringing His life to you!

And the loftiness of man
shall be bowed down,
and the haughtiness of men
shall be made low:
and the Lord alone
shall be exalted in that day.

Cease ye from man,
whose breath is in his nostrils:
for wherein is he
to be accounted of? Isaiah 2:17, 22

For unto us a child is born,
unto us a Son is given:
and the government
shall be upon His shoulder:
and His name shall be called
Wonderful, Counselor,
The Mighty God,
The Everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government
and peace there shall be no end,
upon the throne of David,
and upon his kingdom,
to order it and establish it
with Judgement and Justice
from henceforth even for ever.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts
will perform this. Isaiah 9:6, 7