The Christmas Message

THE CHRISTMAS MESSAGE I heard it on the radio as I awoke that morn: The message in a simple song that Christ the Lord was born. I heard it once again that day as I drove in my car And tried to find a parking space that wasn’t out too far. I heard it in the shopping mall above the busy noise Of crowds who watched as Santa Claus would hug the girls and boys. I heard it as I took a break to get a bite to eat And stood there in the waiting line to get an empty seat. It seemed that I could go nowhere without those carols’ strain, But I wondered, “Is it really heard, or just a vain refrain?” I saw it sold in many stores and on some church’s lawns, I saw it on some window sills where it was sat upon. I saw it on some fancy cards with words so often quote, And saw a message tucked inside that someone there had wrote. It seemed that I could go nowhere without that picture scene, But I wondered, “Do these people know what really it does mean?” It seemed to be another thing on already crowded shelves Amidst the rust of people there too busy with themselves To listen with their mind awhile and see there with their eye The message in the carols and scenes: this Babe was born to die. I fear, though, that the message has been drowned by earthly cause, So hidden in the rush and crowds that no one stops to pause To hear and see anew, again, that Baby in the stall Who came to dwell among mankind and die for one and all. Yes, the message of this time of year is dimmed by all the rush; The tinsel, toys, and Santa Claus has caused its truth to hush. But I think you’ll find if you will look and listen once again The meaning of this time of year will glitter there within, And more than that, it will infill that void you have inside That’s left by all these other things its message tries to hide. Just listen for a moment now, tune out the world’s beat, And hear the crying of this Child who came to sin defeat. See Him today as more than just a baby in a stall; See Him as one whom you can trust, and give to Him your all.