It was May of 1988 and I recited this poem before an auditorium full of teachers, parents, and my graduating classmates:
‘Twas The Night Before Jesus Came
Author Unknown
‘Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.The children were dressing to crawl into bed.
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.When 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 like 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 here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said “it’s not here” my head hung in shame.The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound.
While all the rest 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.In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There’s only one life and when comes the last call
We’ll find that the Bible was true after all!
I was one of the student speakers at the 1988 baccalaureate service at Auburn High School in Rockford, Illinois. One of the other scheduled speakers unexpectedly couldn’t make it to the service, so I ended up going last. I started my speech by congratulating the Class of ’88 (full disclosure: I should’ve graduated in ’87 but was held back in the fourth grade). Then I shared a little about my faith in God, performed an updated version of the parable of the Prodigal Son, and concluded with a reading of “Twas the Night Before Jesus Came.” It was well received, and I recall many people were moved by the service. But 20 years later, I’m having second thoughts.
As I reviewed “Twas the Night Before Jesus Came” the other day, in preparation for a reading at a work Christmas program, I was struck by how harsh it must’ve sounded to some of the people in that Auburn High audience back in ’88. Thinking back on that event, I honestly don’t think I recited it with a spirit of judgment or condemnation; I simply wanted to impress upon my classmates and teachers our need for salvation through Jesus Christ.
In retrospect, if I had it to do over, I don’t think I’d use that poem. Instead, I think I’d want to share something that spoke more of the love, mercy, and grace of Jesus Christ. Maybe I’m getting soft in my old age. Or perhaps it’s just that I see more clearly my own desperate need of God’s mercy and grace. In any case, rather than the “fire and brimstone” treatment, I’d like to leave folks with a glimpse of God’s great love.
Certainly, “Twas the Night Before Jesus Came” is a clever little piece, playing off of Clement Moore’s classic story. Jesus is coming again someday, and the poem is a jarring reminder to get ourselves ready. Still, I wonder if there might’ve been a better way for me to share my passion that night. Many of the people in the auditorium that evening didn’t so much need to hear about the Second Coming of Christ as much as they needed to hear about his First Coming—how God loved us so much that he humbled himself to become a man so that he might save us from our sins and give us new life.
On this Christmas Eve, as I think about God’s wonderful gift to us, I pray that we’ll all experience his love and grace anew. Merry Christmas, everyone.
Reconciliation Blog 
Words have never moved my heart but the love of God shown me through my fellow humans is what has moved me most. Words have moved my mind and sometimes my heart follow but not always.
Thanks for revisiting this, Ed. When I was in high school I don’t think I would’ve had the nerve to share something that confrontational, and that is both good and bad.
I’m happy to see a shift starting to take place, whereby we as Christians are starting to try to offer a message of hope and reconciliation. It’s not that the final judgment won’t occur, nor is it that the unvarnished truth isn’t good enough. Rather, the extent to which we can place ourselves in the shoes of those who do not believe as we do is the extent to which we can find ways to reach them. And I think, for the majority of those in attendance, that poem probably didn’t do the job.
If those outside of Christ are truly “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1), and if Satan has truly “blinded [their] minds” (2 Cor. 4:4) and holds them captive (2 Tim. 2:26), then neither reciting this poem nor showing them love will reach them.
I don’t necessarily object to the “‘fire and brimstone’ treatment” (after all, it’s because of the impending fire and brimstone that Christ had to come the first time), rather it’s that such an approach underestimates the depth of humankind’s lostness. The same can be said of a “softer” approach. I don’t think either approach is thoroughly biblical, and if it’s not biblical, it’s not realistic either.
People are neither scared into true faith nor drawn by a message of love. Those outside of Christ will just as readily scorn the love of God as they will a threat of His judgment. Let’s not be naive; it takes nothing less than a supernatural act of God to “[deliver] us from the domain of darkness and [transfer] us to the kingdom of his beloved Son” (Col. 1:13). In order to be saved, there must be true conviction over sin, true repentance and saving faith, all of which only the Spirit of God working through the word of God can bring about. Rather than recite a poem, recite Scripture, give people the word of God, explain what God has said. Above all, pray that the Holy Spirit would do His indispensible work in the souls of those who are still in their sins.
However, you shouldn’t feel badly because you recited that poem. “The coming of Jesus is drawing near”, and if our names are not written in the Book of Life we will be eternally lost. I think you showed courage and a genuine concern for lost souls.
Merry Christmas to you, too, Ed.
B”H
Hi Brother Ed,
I guess I agree for the most part with Jelani. Seeking to find ways in which we can connect with our hearers is more important than impressing them with our spirituality or Bible knowledge or whatever. I’m not saying that this was the case with you, spiritual pride has been more my own problem, but I agree with Jelani that things have changed over the years and people need more to hear a message of hope and reconciliation. In your reflection you speak of wishing you had left your audience with a glimpse of GOD’s mercy and love. I don’t think you should be quite so hard of yourself my brother. If you had only read that poem then I might agree, but considering the entire context of sharing some of your personal experience as well as that updated version of the Prodigal Son I think you covered quite a broad spectrum of interests and needs. It’s easy to look back and wonder how we might have done this or that better, but GOD uses our words and deeds as seeds sown. One plants and another waters, but GOD brings the increase according to His own timetable.
Blessings,
Shlomo
Schlomo said,
“I agree…that things have changed over the years and people need more to hear a message of hope and reconciliation.”
Things have changed? Have people so changed that conversion now occurs in a different way than that which is described in the Scriptures? Those outside of Christ must first see their need of saving before they will seek salvation.
Besides (to repeat what I wrote earlier), if those outside of Christ are truly “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1), and if Satan has truly “blinded [their] minds” (2 Cor. 4:4) and holds them captive (2 Tim. 2:26), then unless God opens their eyes, they will not see and accept the truth about themselves and about Christ Jesus, no matter how hard we try to “connect” with them.
The whole idea that we have to “find ways to reach” or “connect with” the lost make salvation dependent upon human effort and skill. That is totally contrary to Scripture. Scripture teaches that salvation is of the Lord. Our effectiveness as witnesses is dependent upon the Spirit of God working through the word of God upon the human soul to produce genuine repentance and saving faith.
Oh, how I praise God for you brother Wyeth. Amen and amen!
Maybe you can help me craft a response to a reader who commented on my article A Necessary Conversation over on UrbanFaith.com. She wanted to know how to re-introduce the topic of sin into our conversation with unbelievers. Maybe I’ll just refer her to your responses here. Whew…I don’t feel so alone anymore!
Timeless poem. Timeless sentiment.
There are so many in the church who don’t even believe in Jesus coming to catch away the believers today.If you really listen to over half,of T.V. ministries,or dare to ask,they will tell you.In the area where I live{Ohio},I have lost many “dear friends”,because I still expect Him,and so have a great desire to reach the lost.What I notice in ones,who I know personally{,that don’t look for Him}is concern for this life.A joy that “this life”will go on.They claim to have peace,since they no longer expect Him to appear.Has any one else met with this doctrine? I loved the poem. cheryl
Edward, I LOVED the …Night before Jesus Came… I’d like to copy it and keep it,,, and perhaps share it with some others…
would you mind ?
i think its brilliant !
Just Meee,
The poem is not mine. You can find it floating all around the Internet. The byline is “author unknown,” so I think you’re free to use it. Thanks for writing.
Ed G.
Edward,
it is a very lovely comment of a wonderful poem, and it was well worth speaking that to the audience that you had.
Having said that, in everything that you do, wherever and whenever; DO NOT SECOND GUESS YOURSELF.
Merry Christmas and all the very best.
Richard,
Thanks for your kind words of encouragement, and for dropping by my blog.
Peace and Merry Christmas,
Ed G.
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THIS IS ONE BEAUTIFUL POEM IT BROUGHT REVALATION TO ME
I have always loved this poem, and have given it out to others framed. I do understand, and agree with the desire for wanting people to see some hope rather than the “harshness” some have spoken of; however, for the time it was read to that particular group I choose to believe there were many touched by it. What was given were seeds for some to carry into their future, and a watering can for those that already had seeds previously planted in their hearts. I believe when we step out with love in our hearts and set our foot down in Faith God uses that “moment in time” for His plan in the lives of others to not only bring the truth to them, but it will be at the precise moment they need that encounter. What may not have “hit home” at that moment, will have hit its mark later when they were more receptive in their hearts, or if preferred…when the time was ripe. Everyone needs to know the love our Lord has for them because it is the most beautiful, fulfilling, and exciting thing that will ever happen in their lives. I would ask you not to second guess what you did or didn’t not do…just trust that for that time, that moment in time God was proud of you for stepping out, and used it, and since He does not stop with one thing , but always creates a domino effects trust there are others still benefiting from your hearts desire for them to understand His love…for as we know…nothing is impossible with God, and He can use anything to reach those that need reaching.
Thank you for stepping out, and allowing God to use your step of Faith. Sometimes we do not realize we have just had an “appointed time” in something God wanted to do. Even if 1 person was changed it was their time. Moving forward you could use the updated version…for such a time as this…
I am using this poem at the end of our Christmas play to remind us that Jesus is coming soon. I had read it for many years but this is the first time I have used it in church. I am so impressed that you let Jesus use you as a young person to touch hearts at your graduation. It was what God gave you for that moment. Never second guess God’s plan. We need to stand for the Bible and tell the truth with love. Hell will be harsh. Satan does not “beat around the bush” as he destroys precious souls. If one soul was saved from the reading of this poem, it was worth it.
If this poem is read with love and concern for all mankind it is a poem of love because love is truth! One of the 5 gifts of the ministry is evangelist so God used you mightily years ago. Do NOT allow the devil to condemn you for Sharing the truth….he is trying to use guilt and condemnation to stop you from sharing it any more. Truth is love…..Truth is love…..Truth is love. Never stop sharing this poem. It is an eye opener and a wonderful poem to share ALWAYS! Condemnation is not from God but Holy #pirit conviction is! Blessings