A Poem For Christmastime

Written for Christmas 1988
By Ken Raggio

I've celebrated many Christmases With different things in mind; Spent time with friends and family 'Round turkey and some pie. This year, I said I'd change a bit - I'd give more thought to God; 'Cause He's the One that made it so, Though often I forgot. It seemed so far away to grasp The truth of what it meant; How ONE SMALL CHILD in Bethlehem Could CHANGE THE COURSE OF MEN. But then it all occurred to me With thoughts so new and fresh How that SMALL CHILD was not just man, But GOD was robed in flesh! The Unseen God had long been hid In omnipresent bliss, But now HE DWELT AMONG US - In a FORM we could not miss. The greatest gift to all mankind Was GOD HIMSELF come down To bring us Hope and Happiness We never could have found. We string the lights on Christmas trees, to make our evenings glow, But that TRUE Light is Jesus Christ Who came so long ago. The angel said, "...a SAVIOR Is born to you this day," It was the precious Lamb of God There in the Manger's hay. The prophetess told Mary "A sword shall pierce your heart." She did not know that her first child Must die to play His part. We learned in God's great gift to us; (Which taught us how to give); Beyond the Cradle, on the Cross, He died that we might live.