A Visit From the Christ Child
by F.R. Duplantier
1986
for Maria, Ida, Isabel, Maxine, Crozet & Audrey
Another version of the Clement Moore classic "A Visit From Saint Nicholas."
This poem, written by a father, tells of his efforts and success in reclaiming the holiday as a 'holy-day.'
Twas the morning of Christmas, when all through the
house
All the family was frantic, including my
spouse;
For each one of them had one thing only in
mind,
To examine the presents St. Nick left
behind.
The boxes and wrapping and ribbons and toys,
Were
strewn on the floor, and the volume of noise,
Increased as our children began a big fight,
Over
who got the video games, who got the bike.
I looked at my watch and I said, slightly nervous,
"Let's get ready for church, so we won't miss the
service."
The children protested, "We don't want
to pray:
We've just got our presents, and we want
to play!"
It dawned on me then that we had gone astray,
In
confusing the purpose of this special day;
Our
presents were many and very high-priced ,
But
something was missing — that something was Christ!
I said, "Put the gifts down and let's gather
together,
And I'll tell you a tale of the greatest
gift ever.
"A savior was promised when Adam first sinned,
And
the hopes of the world upon Jesus were pinned.
Abraham begat Isaac, who Jacob begat,
And through
David the line went to Joseph, whereat
This
carpenter married a maiden with child,
Who yet was
a virgin, in no way defiled.
"Saying 'Hail, full of Grace,' an archangel
appeared
To Mary the Blessed, among women
revered:
The Lord willed she would bear — through
the Spirit — a son.
Said Mary to Gabriel, 'God's
will be done.'
"Now Caesar commanded a tax would be paid,
And all
would go home while the census was made;
Thus
Joseph and Mary did leave Galilee
For the city of
David to pay this new fee.
"Mary's time had arrived, but the inn had no room,
So she laid in a manger the fruit of her womb;
And
both Joseph and Mary admired as He napped
The
Light of the World in his swaddling clothes wrapped.
"Three wise men from the East had come looking for
news
Of the birth of the Savior, the King of the
Jews;
They carried great gifts as they followed a
star --
Gold, frankincense, myrrh, which they'd
brought from afar.
"As the shepherds watched over their flocks on that
night,
The glory of God shone upon them quite
bright,
And an angel explained the intent of the
birth,
Saying, 'Glory to God and His peace to the
earth.'
"For this was the Messiah whom prophets foretold,
A
good shepherd to bring his sheep back to the fold;
He was God become man, He would die on the cross,
He would rise from the dead to restore Adam's loss.
"Santa Claus, Christmas presents, a brightly lit
pine,
Candy canes and spiked eggnog are all very
fine;
Let's have fun celebrating, but leave not a
doubt
That Christ is what Christmas is really
about!"
The children right then put an end to the noise,
They dressed quickly for church, put away all their
toys;
For they knew Jesus loved them and said they
were glad
That He'd died for their sins, and to
save their dear Dad.
Source: The original version of this poem can be found at:
http://www.politickles.com/thankevann/christchild
F.R. Duplantier's mailing address is: frd@americasfuture.net
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