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“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called
Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

Clement Clarke Moore (1779 - 1863) wrote the poem Twas the night before Christmas also called “A Visit from St. Nicholas" in 1822. It became the tradition in many American families to read the poem every Christmas Eve. The poem 'Twas the night before Christmas' has redefined our image of Christmas and Santa Claus.

After having heard this poem read many times as a child I remember waiting with great anticipation for Santa Claus on Christmas. I remember the sweet moment that I actually believed he was coming to our house that night on Christmas Eve. I went to our living room and gazed out of the window truly believing he was about to pass by in the sky in his sleigh. I was nervously thinking about seeing the reindeer and Rudolph's red nose. And I knew he was coming down our chimney, even though we did not have a chimney. (Smile) I believed he liked cookies, so I made sure he had a plate of cookies for a snack. I can't remember what I wanted for Christmas but the memory of the anticipation of waiting for Santa to appear cannot be erased.

My mind was young and impressionable. This poem, read many times, placed me in a state of such anticipation of someone who was not real with hopes of granting my Christmas wishes that he could not provide.

The writer said, "The poem 'Twas the night before Christmas' has redefined our image of Christmas and Santa Claus." Just think what the living Word of Luke Chapters 1 and 2 would do for our children. Can you imagine having our children waiting with the same anticipation for our Savior as they do for Santa Claus? Hebrews 11:6

My daughter once wrote on a card to me, “The greatest gift you ever gave me was the gift of Jesus.” She shared with me that because of it she has been talking to God since she was eight years old. It's amazing. She talks, He listens, He answers, He directs, she sometimes listen and sometimes follow (smile) but I know her success is due to her developed and established relationship with her heavenly Father. She's been through a lot in her life, good and bad but the scripture that hold so true is, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

If you do nothing else, please share the story of our Savior's birth with your children. Please share with them that the greatest gift of all is Jesus Christ. No one can go to the Father accept by Jesus. John 14:6 He restored us back to our Creator and we now have access to Him. Romans 5:1-2. In these treacherous dark and evil times, our children need Jesus more than any Santa Claus, which includes you and me. They need to know their heavenly Father and know that they can talk to Him and He will listen, answer, direct, help and protect them. For He is truly Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

God says, “_____________, (insert your name) my greatest gift to you is My only begotten Son! Share Him with your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors no matter how young they are. It's imperative for them to know that I will keep, protect and guide them through it all.

When I waited for Santa Claus that night I can't even remember the gift I wanted for Christmas but nothing can erase that feeling of the anticipation of the one who was bringing the gifts. I pray that God gives us an opportunity to make the anticipation of the coming of the Messiah as vivid as my anticipation of the coming of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.

Today's Prayer

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