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by Charlie Grier In a distant land, on a bygone day, A little BABE in a manger lay. But who could tell, as He nestled there, While Mary and Joseph bowed in prayer, That here on the hay, with His infant cry, Lay the Master of ocean, earth, and sky? And then as He taller and fairer grew -- This lad that all of His neighbors knew To be pleasant and courteous, brave and strong, With a cheery smile and a hearty song -- Touched their hearts and troubled their minds, "Who was this lad so gentle and kind?" They liked His frank, straightforward ways, His wisdom and words were beyond His days, And they paused to watch Him fashion wood In a manner no other craftsman could -- He impressed them much, as a good boy does But they never dreamed who He really was! At last a lock is upon the door -- The Carpenter of Nazareth is no more, But now, a Man with a "ONE-WAY" sign Is telling the Truth to all mankind. He is pointing to that "narrow way" That leads, at last, to Eternal Day; And they listen just as they did before Back in His humble work-shop door, "Never man spake as he," they cry -- With new hope gleaming in their eye. "The strength of Elijah he displays, But he is unlike him in some ways. Like Jeremiah, he weeps and warns While favor from the rich he scorns. Messiah? -- No, he cannot be -- No prophet comes from Galilee!" And so they turn from Him because They didn't know who He really was! Then He showed His love through mighty deeds: He healed their sick and supplied their needs. He cleansed the leper and raised the dead -- The hungry multitudes were fed. He stilled the storm -- the poor He blessed. He offered pardon, peace, and rest! His critics cried, "He is too meek -- He tries too hard the lost to seek! We want a leader strong as steel -- Full of courage, strength, and zeal To rule the world with an iron rod -- Yet, never once claiming to be God." At last united, in Pilate's Hall A verdict of "death" was agreed by all. "Envy" brought charges of trumped-up sin. "Hatred" shouted, "Away with Him!" God's angry earthquake shook the sod! "Honesty" acknowledged, "This was the Son of God!" At Christmastide, when men of good will Seek to worship the Christ child still, Have you stayed too long in Bethlehem town, Or, have you followed His steps around To Jerusalem, and Galilee, And this angry throng at Calvary? Have you stood amazed beneath the Cross And cried, "For ME He suffered loss! It was for ME He bore disgrace -- Bearing MY sin -- taking My place?" The message of Christmas is more, by far, Than the angels' song, or the Wise Men's star. Have you stood at the Tomb in ecstasy, Where nature responded to Deity And shouted, "Christ is the Victor now For He conquered DEATH on Calvary's brow!" If YOU are not saved, is it not because You, too, haven't learned who He really was? "And Simon Peter answered and said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son on the living God." |