Twas the night before Jesus came...

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 babe on her lap
Was watching a Late Show
while I took a nap.

Then 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'd 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 this night!

In the words of this poem
the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus
is drawing near.
There's only one life,
and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible
was true after all.

Author Unknown