My family’s Christmas Eve tradition began with my grandmother Dewald at her house and is still carried on today by each of the families she left behind. Since my mother has passed away, my family now meets at my brother’s house on Christmas Eve, and we share a meal and exchange presents.  Before we open gifts, we always read the Christmas Story from Luke 2, have a prayer, and sing a few Christmas songs.  My    father read the Christmas Story, my husband read it, and now my brother reads it.  As always, this year he chose one of Mother’s bibles to read from.  When he opened the Bible, he found a poem she used as a bookmark, and he shared it with us as our prayer.  We don’t know where or when she got it, but it was appropriate on Christmas Eve and seems appropriate to share as we approach this Easter season.  I have included it here exactly as my brother found it in its aged and decaying status.

 

If we put God into this poem, we can see once again that He wants us to show our love and kindness toward Him and others, not just talk about it.  Throughout the Bible, we get this message; He wants to be an integral part of our lives.  My mother knew this. I am sure that is why she saved this poem and put it in her Bible.  She was the kindest, most Christian woman I have ever known. Her faith was unshakeable, and she lived her life showing this faith by her actions every day. As we move through this Lenten season, let us look inward to our own actions and reevaluate our lives to ensure that we are living an

active Christian life.