A Different Christmas

A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS It seemed so refreshing to walk through the town While winds gently blew and the snowflakes fell down, For Christmas was coming, the spirit was there, The sound of some music was filling the air. I drew even nearer to the city’s bright square Where I saw the choir, all dressed in their gowns, And bright decorations were placed all around. It was so unusual, for the songs that they sang Reminded me clearly of the angels that brang The news so exciting that day on that hill, Their bright heavenly glory the heavens all filled, “May peace be upon every man, and good will.” Then shepherds and wise men with their homage each came To a place, simple, lowly, where a Child was lain. And here on the square, re-enacted again Through songs the glad message that then filled the plain, And right in the center, a scene so well-known-- It seemed it belonged there, that corner it owned-- And no one protested that it should be gone! It now seemed predestined to ever remain A gentle reminder to the viewers again. And as past the scene where I’d worshiped in awe, I looked in the stores and in each one I saw No sign of a Santa, a reindeer, or elf; Seemed to good to be true, I said to myself, That in all of these stores, on many a shelf No sign of the things most famed on this day; No, they had been taken far out of the way. ‘Twas then I awoke, and I knew ‘twas a dream, Yet how my heart yearned for a similar scene To fill this cruel world with its violence and hate With hope born anew for which man dearly waits To lift him from hopelessness, his sinful estate. And yet well I know that this story so old If in all its pure, simple language was told, That our God in His love reached down long, long ago, Placed that Babe in that manger so that each one could know His love for mankind through His own precious Son Who became the great Savior, the sin-bearing one To rescue each soul who is lost and undone. If each one would receive Him, in heaven they’d be There with angels and sing for eternity. Then the message of Christmas would no longer be dimmed By the secularism, the parties, the sin, For the real hope of Christmas would be dwelling in man; He’d know that God’s love was the all perfect plan To give life a purpose for which he could stand. Yes a different Christmas I envision, that’s true, But I offer its hope and its truth now to you.