The True Meaning of Christmas
By Kimberly Coates
‘Twas the Eve of First Christmas and all through the land
There was not one room open neither simple, nor grand
Dread filled Joseph’s heart, at the last place they tried
As the innkeeper’s head shook from side to side
Then, filled with compassion, he thought of a way
He told of a stable, a place they could stay
Having no other option, each door closed up tight
A simple old stable, became a delight
They thanked the kind man, while the door he was closing
The day nearly gone, soon the dark was enclosing
When fine’ly they found it, Joseph took tender care
Made a bed out of straw, with no time to spare
The pain soon began, God’s own son nearly here
Mary prayed to have courage to replace her fear
And when she looked at His face, sent from above
She knew in an instant of a mother’s pure love
She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes for the night
Laid Him in a manger, then noticed a light
A new star above them, up high in the East
Shining brighter then others by two times, at least
Nearby there were shepherds with their flocks in the field
Looking up to the sky, saw the star unconcealed
When an angel appeared bringing news of Christ’s birth
They set forth to visit the One of Great Worth
For God so loved the world that He sent us his son
And because of his precious gift, Christmas begun
When the wise men arrived, they knelt down in praise
And starting tradition, their gifts did they raise
But it didn’t take long to fill hearts with greed
Instead of all giving; we get, want, and need
So many distractions, ways to go into debt
The true meaning of Christmas, we must not forget
If we look at what’s changed since that first Christmas night
We’ll find the answers to things the world has lost sight
If we’d have been there, seen the star in the sky
There is one thing for certain: no reindeer flew by!
Now our stockings are filled to the brim with fun treats
Each year they get bigger, they were once for our feet
And under the tree where once there were presents
The crumpled up paper now covers the floor vents
The Christmas we know just would not feel complete
Without treats from our neighbors to fatten our seat
And by Christmas night, you bid your visitors bye
The toys are half broken, you vow that “Next year you’ll try”
To teach the true purpose of the gift of God’s love
The kind of giving and caring the scriptures talk of
No need to wonder if it’s big or too small
Cuz unlike a sweater, love is one size fits all
Christ was not wealthy in treasures of this earth
But he loved everyone, he knew of their worth
It doesn’t take money to make Christmas great
Just think about Christ, it is never too late
You don’t need to wait or hold off for good reason
To practice what you’ll do for the next Christmas season
So starting this moment to give others a lift
Love them with all your heart, for love is the best gift!
