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The Russian
Orthodox
Cathedral
of
St. John
the
Baptist,
Washington,
D.C.
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
We print an Orthodox priest's
reworking of an
unknown author's adaptation of the
classic Christmas
poem, "'Twas the Night before
Christmas".
'Twas the night before Jesus came,
and all through the house,
not a creature was praying, no one
in the house!
Our Bibles lay on shelves without
care
our icons, in dim corners, gathered
dust there.
The children were dressed to crawl
into bed,
but they did not kneel, nor bow down
their small head.
My wife, 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 in 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
near!
With light like the sun sending forth
its bright ray,
I knew in an instant, this must be
the day!
The light of His Face made me cover
my head.
It was Jesus returning, just like He
said!
And though I possessed worldly wisdom
and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him, in spite of
myself!
The Coming of Jesus, it was now here,
and my lifestyle was one I'm not
proud of, I fear!
Here was the moment of God's final
call,
my time for Judgement was here after
all.
He spoke not a word, as He searched
for my name,
When He said, "It's not here," my
head hung with shame.
The people whose names had been
written in love
He gathered to take to His Father
above.
With those who were ready, He rose
without sound,
while the rest of us were left
standing around.
I fell to my knees, but it was too
late,
I had 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 tonight!
Then heard I the twelve tolls of the
bell,
And heard they were close, the
groaning of Hell.
Just then I awoke from my nightmare
bleak,
and rejoiced in the knowledge: the
Feast's in a week!
I've time to repent, and change
fallen way,
and meet the Lord joyously on this
Christmas Day!
Parish Life
January, 1995
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