Finding Jesus

Juker · 12-17-2011, 05:34 PM

Dear TFF Friends:

Quite a few years ago, our pastor asked me to come up with a reading for the Christmas Eve candlelight service. Other folks were reading various assigned Scripture, and I started looking for something appropriate. I made various notes and points and eventually decided to write an original poem. After the service some well-meaning friends sent it to some Christian magazines who contacted me about publishing it. "Sure," I told them, "if you give your magazine away for free." Christ gave His life for ours, and never charged a penny for His message of salvation; and I believe there's a special punishment awaiting anyone who seeks financial gain in His name.

It was never published.

If any of you would like to use or share this poem, feel free to do so, with my blessing. If anyone ever publishes it for money or takes credit for writing it, well, you'll have to answer to God someday for that one. I hope only that it would somehow help open someone's eyes to the truth.

If asked, you can just say it was written by another wretched hellbound sinner saved by the grace of God.

"Finding Jesus"

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the land
Families were preparing celebrations quite grand.
The stores and the lines, packed with shoppers so harried
Laden with more boxes than they could carry.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that a fat man in red would appear.
I drive through the city and on frozen ground
Inflatable Frostys and Rudolphs abound.
The words 'happy holidays' headline the news
To appease those offended by the King of the Jews.

But where is Jesus?

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed
God’s only begotten Son lay His head.
No paparazzi were there to record
The incredible birth of our Heavenly Lord.
No cameras were present, no crowds milled about
But a heavenly host lit the night with a shout!
His humble beginning would signal a life
Of sacrifice, service, of struggle and strife ...

And there was Jesus.

He came here for us, not for personal gain
So that we too could share in His eternal reign.
He came here to tell us just how we should live;
How to serve others, and how we should give.
If we’d just believe in the truth that He stated
We’d be freed from our bonds, and know why we’re created.
Before He could even speak, our names He knew.
He came here for each of us - for me and for you.
Old Testament prophecies all were fulfilled
By His singular birth and the blood that He spilled.

No space could be found at the Bethlehem inn ~
But an old, rugged cross was reserved just for Him ...

And there was Jesus.

We must never forget that He is the reason
We have cause to celebrate this holy season.
So on Christmas morning, as unwrapping begins
Let’s all pause and give thanks for the day’s origins.
When you find yourself swamped in the holiday throng
And you’re wondering where in Christmas you belong
Just be still and listen to His soft, gentle voice
He’s there ~ in your heart ~ helping make the right choice.
His Spirit will show you ways to love your neighbor
And strengthen your soul through your toils and your labor.
When you follow His teachings and do unto others
And learn ways to love all your sisters and brothers
And believe in Him wholly for the things He has done
That the babe born that night is our God’s one true Son ~

There you'll find Jesus.

dad2thebone · 12-17-2011, 07:48 PM

So nice, well done. thanks for posting it so that all here could share .

ampaterry · 12-18-2011, 04:51 AM

Juker, thank you for posting that.
On Christmas, we have a special service -
I read the Christmas story from Luke, then turn the service over to the congregation. Each one brings a song, poem, musical piece, etc. to share. One year, a couple did a skit which was GREAT.

This year, following the Christmas story, I am going to read this poem of yours.
I will credit you as the author, and like every other service I have conducted for the last 25 years or so, there will be NO collection taken up.

May God bless you -

Juker · 12-18-2011, 06:09 AM

Well Terry, I'm mightily humbled. Thank you. Especially since we have shared our views here before on money and on the idolatry of cheering for so many worldly things, when it is Christ alone who is worthy of our adoration.

carver · 12-18-2011, 08:22 AM

Thank you Juker! I will pass it on!

Caneman · 12-18-2011, 08:39 AM

thank you Juker, that is awesome... Jesus is the gift

12-17-2011, 05:34 PM	#1
Juker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Land of Lincoln Contributor Posts: 2,872	Finding Jesus Dear TFF Friends: Quite a few years ago, our pastor asked me to come up with a reading for the Christmas Eve candlelight service. Other folks were reading various assigned Scripture, and I started looking for something appropriate. I made various notes and points and eventually decided to write an original poem. After the service some well-meaning friends sent it to some Christian magazines who contacted me about publishing it. "Sure," I told them, "if you give your magazine away for free." Christ gave His life for ours, and never charged a penny for His message of salvation; and I believe there's a special punishment awaiting anyone who seeks financial gain in His name. It was never published. If any of you would like to use or share this poem, feel free to do so, with my blessing. If anyone ever publishes it for money or takes credit for writing it, well, you'll have to answer to God someday for that one. I hope only that it would somehow help open someone's eyes to the truth. If asked, you can just say it was written by another wretched hellbound sinner saved by the grace of God. "Finding Jesus" ‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the land Families were preparing celebrations quite grand. The stores and the lines, packed with shoppers so harried Laden with more boxes than they could carry. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care In hopes that a fat man in red would appear. I drive through the city and on frozen ground Inflatable Frostys and Rudolphs abound. The words 'happy holidays' headline the news To appease those offended by the King of the Jews. But where is Jesus? Away in a manger, no crib for a bed God’s only begotten Son lay His head. No paparazzi were there to record The incredible birth of our Heavenly Lord. No cameras were present, no crowds milled about But a heavenly host lit the night with a shout! His humble beginning would signal a life Of sacrifice, service, of struggle and strife ... And there was Jesus. He came here for us, not for personal gain So that we too could share in His eternal reign. He came here to tell us just how we should live; How to serve others, and how we should give. If we’d just believe in the truth that He stated We’d be freed from our bonds, and know why we’re created. Before He could even speak, our names He knew. He came here for each of us - for me and for you. Old Testament prophecies all were fulfilled By His singular birth and the blood that He spilled. No space could be found at the Bethlehem inn ~ But an old, rugged cross was reserved just for Him ... And there was Jesus. We must never forget that He is the reason We have cause to celebrate this holy season. So on Christmas morning, as unwrapping begins Let’s all pause and give thanks for the day’s origins. When you find yourself swamped in the holiday throng And you’re wondering where in Christmas you belong Just be still and listen to His soft, gentle voice He’s there ~ in your heart ~ helping make the right choice. His Spirit will show you ways to love your neighbor And strengthen your soul through your toils and your labor. When you follow His teachings and do unto others And learn ways to love all your sisters and brothers And believe in Him wholly for the things He has done That the babe born that night is our God’s one true Son ~ There you'll find Jesus. __________________ SHOOT FIRST. SHOOT SECOND. MOST IMPORTANTLY, BE THE MAN WHO'S SHOOTING LAST. -->

12-17-2011, 07:48 PM	#2
dad2thebone Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 1,357	Re: Finding Jesus So nice, well done. thanks for posting it so that all here could share . __________________ 9-11-01 we will never forget.And then we have dec 7 now it's Nov 6th all sad days for our country. And dont whizz on my leg then tell me it's raining.

12-18-2011, 04:51 AM	#3
ampaterry TFF Admin Staff Chaplain Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: West Tennessee Contributor Posts: 6,272	Re: Finding Jesus Juker, thank you for posting that. On Christmas, we have a special service - I read the Christmas story from Luke, then turn the service over to the congregation. Each one brings a song, poem, musical piece, etc. to share. One year, a couple did a skit which was GREAT. This year, following the Christmas story, I am going to read this poem of yours. I will credit you as the author, and like every other service I have conducted for the last 25 years or so, there will be NO collection taken up. May God bless you - __________________ A woman who demands further gun control legislation is like a chicken who roots for Colonel Sanders. Larry Elder

12-18-2011, 06:09 AM	#4
Juker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Land of Lincoln Contributor Posts: 2,872	Re: Finding Jesus Well Terry, I'm mightily humbled. Thank you. Especially since we have shared our views here before on money and on the idolatry of cheering for so many worldly things, when it is Christ alone who is worthy of our adoration. __________________ SHOOT FIRST. SHOOT SECOND. MOST IMPORTANTLY, BE THE MAN WHO'S SHOOTING LAST.

12-18-2011, 08:22 AM	#5
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,219	Re: Finding Jesus Thank you Juker! I will pass it on! __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

12-18-2011, 08:39 AM	#6
Caneman Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 1,244	Re: Finding Jesus thank you Juker, that is awesome... Jesus is the gift