a little bit of {this and that}

When I was in high school I went to Teens For Christ and Young Life. While I attended TFC only occasionally I always looked forward to their newsletters. I have several items clipped and saved still from those days.

This is one of my favorite poems. I read it several times during the season to remind me of the "reason for the season," as the saying goes. I know many people go to church, give food to a food drive, buy a gift off the Angel tree...My hope is that we never feel complacent, that we do these things from the heart and remember that being ready for Christmas happens all year.

Ready for Christmas?
author unknown

"Ready for Christmas," she said with a sigh,
As she gave a last touch to the gifts piled high;
Then wearily sat for a moment and read
Till soon, very soon, she was nodding her head.
Then quickly spoke a voice in her dream,

"Ready for Christmas? What do you mean?
Ready for Christmas, when only last week
You wouldn't acknowledge your friend on the street?
Ready for Christmas, while holding a grudge?
Perhaps you had better let God be the judge.
Why, how can the Christ-child come and abide
In a heart that is selfish and filled with pride?
Ready for Christmas, when only today
A beggar lad came and you turned him away
Without even a smile to show that you cared?
The little he asked - it could have been spared.
Ready for Christmas, You've worked hard it it true,
But just doing the things that you wanted to do.
Ready for Christmas, Your circle's too small.
Why you're not ready for Christmas at all!"

She awoke with a start, and a cry of despair,
"There's so little time, and I've still to prepare!
O Father, forgive me, I see what you mean,
To be ready for means more than a house swept clean!"

Yes, more than the giving of gifts and a tree,
It's the heart swept clean that He wants to see,
A heart that is free from bitterness - sin,
Ready for Christmas - and ready for HIM!

Seven more days my friends. Are you ready?