A poem shared

Jonathan Moyers, a former student and praise leader in a nearby church, wrote the following poem.

He has given me permission to share it with you.

Tis the season of tons of stuff,

Hustle and bustle in the name of "love."

Presents, trees, and baskets of cheese,

A merry red coat, white beard -- can I have this toy please?

Stuffed in the corner, a scene so dear

Of Mary and Joseph, not some red-nosed reindeer.

A manger of hay, for there was no room

For the King of the earth, who was due, oh so soon.

"Is that Him behind Elmo?" Shepherds might say.

Or maybe over there! Behind the new car, fresh out today!

"Maybe He's hiding," the angels would sing

Underneath all the shinies, the sweet "bling bling."

Did we leave the scene unfinished? Did we forget the true meaning?

Or is He calling out in the midst of the screaming?

If we stopped and listened, moved the wrapping out of the way

Would we see our Savior, waiting patiently in that hay?

I know I'm guilty, I'm the first to admit

That I can lose Jesus in my rush to the gifts.

"Not this year," I will say, "til the day is gone and done."

Never once do I stop to say "thank you" for you, God's Son.

He came in the quiet, in a tiny little town,

Not in a castle, not with a crown.

He came for you; He came for me.

He came to live, move and breathe to set us free.

He came with love, more amazing each day.

He came so that I could even celebrate this way

When I open that KU beanie, or that Cowboys vs. Aliens movie so sweet!

I know that those gifts with a King can't compete.

For Jesus is the reason, not Santa, not Walmart

Because He died for me, rose for me, and lives

In my heart.