I apologize that I do not know the source and authorship of the following.  It was sent to me last Christmas as part of a family’s Christmas letter.  I share it hoping that reading it will become a tradition each year along with a more familiar version of ‘Twas the night before Christmas.

‘Twas the night before Christmas – and all through the town

Not a sign of Baby Jesus – was to be found.

The people were all busy with Christmas time chores –

Like decorating, and baking and shopping in stores.

No one sang Away in a Manger – no crib for a bed.

Instead, they sang of Santa – dressed up in bright red.

Mama watched Martha Stewart – Papa drank beer from the tap.

As hour upon hours the presents they’d wrap.

Then what from the TV did they suddenly hear?

‘Cept an ad – which told of a big sale down at Sears.

So away to the mall they all flew like a flash.

Buying some things on credit and others on cash.

And as they made their way home from their trip to the mall,

Did they think about Jesus?  Oh, no – not at all.

Their lives were so busy with their Christmas time things.

They had no time to remember Christ Jesus, the King.

There were presents to wrap and cookies to bake.

How could they stop and remember the One who died for their sake?

To pray to the Savior – they had no time to stop

Because they needed more time to ‘Shop til they dropped!’

On Wal-Mart! On K-Mart! On Target! On Penney’s!

On Hallmark! On Zales! A quick lunch at Denny’s

From the big stores downtown to the stores at the mall

They would dash away, dash away and visit them all.

And up on the roof, there arose such a clatter –

As grandpa hung icicle lights – using his brand new stepladder.

He hung lights that would flash. He hung lights that would twirl.

Yet he never once prayed – to Jesus – the light of the world.

Christ’s eyes – how they twinkled

Christ’s spirit – how merry

Christ’s love how enormous

All of our burdens – He’ll carry

So instead of being busy, overworked and uptight –

Let’s put Christ back in Christmas – and enjoy some good nights.