The Eve of Christmas Eve: A Reading in Three Acts

The Eve of
Christmas Eve:
A Reading in Three Acts

Since Christmas falls on Sunday
With Christmas Eve Service, too,
Might be tough on the folks –
That really won’t do.

Prologue –

There was something even better
Than Christmas Eve this year,
At the church down the road
With the pastors so dear.

It’s that big building.
That’s pretty old.
But a place where the Gospel
Is always lovingly told.

Since Christmas falls on Sunday
With Christmas Eve Service, too,
Might be tough on the folks –
That really won’t do.

Act 1 –

The morning of the Eve of Christmas Eve
Would set the stage just right,
For the awe inspiring program
Which would happen just tonight.

The children were all ready.
They’d memorized their parts.
They knew them so well.
They knew them all by heart.

kidz002

The technician adjusting slides
So sound would be OK,
And also make the lighting
Point exactly the right way.

Mrs. Jones was calling
Some persons she’d invited
To remind them to come
At 7:00 p.m., she’s excited.

This Pastor was praying
Upon his knees this morn’,
That tonight’s program
Would Jesus Christ adorn.

Now just before tonight,
Time for all to rest,
To make this Christmas Eve Eve
The very, very Best.

Act II –

The Eve of Christmas Eve
Was a very special night.
Each person attending
Showed exceptional delight.

First, it was carol time
To sing those old greats,
About the Birth of Jesus.
They could hardly wait.

Then the children filed in.
The place silent became.
A song about Jesus
The quiet night He came.

The Center was packed
With the children on stage.
Even the balcony full.
The congregation engaged.

This Pastor sat on a couch
By a framed stable scene,
Where he would narrate,
This holy night theme.

Mary and Joseph came out.
No room at the Inn.
No room for Jesus,
Where tonight’s story begins.

With deep feeling
This Brother did read
About the shepherds’ sight,
What they did see.

One child wearing a robe,
And staff in their hand,
Looked up – up – up high
Where the angels did stand.

Now time for a song
With piano so soft.
A solo is heard, clearly,
Even way up in the loft.

The children kneel and point
To the direction of West,
As this Minister told of the wise men
Who gifted their best.

And then the three boys,
Off, by stage left went.
Another way, than entering
From where they were sent.

Recitation – a poem.
When would she start?
But soon that powerful last line
“I can give Him my heart.”

This Preacher opened his Bible
And spoke with great zeal.
Birth – Life – Death – Resurrection.
Rebirth in Jesus, he appealed.

And then what happened
Was to everyone’s awe.
The front full – wise seekers,
Everyone saw.

To the world joy –
Melody to the ceiling ascends,
As one voice,
Everyone sang at the end.

Christmas Eve Eve –
What a very special night.
Children and audience –
All hearts Bright.

bell001s

Act III –

The Eve of Christmas Eve almost done,
The Lead Pastor came forward
To address the crowd
Before it was over.

This humble man of God,
Said that he cared
About this church
And why it was there.

He encouraged each
To follow their dream,
To use their talents for the Lord
As the children they’d seen.

Epilogue –

Following Christmas Eve Eve
All did linger longer,
Having sweet fellowship
With so much to Ponder.

— Charles B. Mayes

Graphics: GospelGifs.com – copyrighted and used with permission.

Today’s reading (poem) is much longer than usual and is based on a real situation of Christmas being on Sunday and the church wanting to have a Christmas Eve Service, so they decided to have it on the Friday evening before Christmas. Thus, the Eve of Christmas Eve!

I want to thank those who follow my website regularly – some for several years! Also I’m happy to have those who drop by from time to time. May God richly bless all of you!

See More Readings at http://www.ChristianPoetryPublishing.com or http://www.HisPoems.com.

If you would like to use this poem reading as a performance; or on your website; in your newsletter; bulletin; speech; sermon; class; etc., you must indicate on the communication that the author is “Charles B. Mayes” and it is “Used by Permission”. If it is used on a website, please add our website address, or link to http://www.ChristianPoetryPublishing.com or http://www.HisPoems.com.

If these poems minister to you, I’d encourage you to pass the word along talking with your friends; when you write an email; or when you’re on Facebook or other social media to include a mention of http://www.ChristianPoetryPublishing.com or http://www.HisPoems.com.

Other poems are available in a chapbook titled, A New Year Resolution and Other Poems (including The Missionaries) by Charles B. Mayes. It contains 22 poems. The foreword is written by Dr. P.T. Mammen, Senior Pastor of San Bruno (CA) International Christian Center.”

” . . . creative energy evidenced through every line . . ” – Dr. P.T. Mammen

If you would like to receive my free Christian poetry reading emails from time to time, fill out the Contact Form below with the word “Follow.”

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com -” ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’ ” (Holy Bible – Acts 17:28)
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Posted on December 22, 2022 by farsails

A Christmas Eve Poem

A Christmas Eve Poem

Luke 2:14

This is my Christmas Eve poem.
I hope that it will bless,
With a few verses,
About this holiday loved best!

The carolers joyously singing,
From house to house they go.
The children eagerly sledding
In the new white fallen snow.

The stores remaining opened.
The crowds quickly flooding in.
The pop-up corner tree lots –
The evergreens are trimmed.

The church’s doors staying opened,
With a glow of lights within.
The creche stands in the front
Showing those who worship Him.

The gathered circle holding hands,
Of friends both old and new.
A Christmas prayer they pray.
It is something very true.

That peace on earth will come,
As we trust in Jesus Christ,
Born on that Christmas day
And for us was sacrificed.

The stores completely closed.
The sleds all put away.
The carolers quiet, quite.
No more trees to display.

The congregation leaves,
Feeling refreshed, renewed,
Into the cold night air,
An upswing in their mood.

That is my Christmas Eve poem.
I hope that it has blessed,
With a few verses,
About this holiday loved best!

— Charles B. Mayes

Graphic: ErikTanghe – pixabay.com

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” [Holy Bible – Luke 2:14 – NIV]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

_______________________________________ Announcement:
ChristianPoetryPublishing.com now has a new connected website – HisPoems.com.
HisPoems.com is a way to get to ChristianPoetryPublishing.com more quickly. It also makes it easier for you to tell people about the site. But no matter what, we are still here to serve you at ChristianPoetryPublishing.com.

_______________________________________
As If Watching A Movie

“I’m sorry that it took me so long to thank you for your wonderful gift of poetry. As I was reading your poem, [Independence Day] the images of the people celebrating Independence Day and being proud of this day came to me as if I was watching a nice short movie. I was very moved.” Daisuke (Luke) S., Mountain View, CA.

Very Moving

“I just read ‘Mistaken Identity.’ It is very moving, and one of your best.” Joan M.-H., Muskogee, OK.

Complimentary in Faith

“Love your poetry writing! So complimentary in the common faith!” Chanel B., DE.

_______________________________________

” . . . creative energy evidenced through every line . . ” – Dr. P.T. Mammen

If you would like to purchase a copy of the above book, please fill out the form below and I will get back to you with the description, price, payment, and mailing arrangements.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT ME, please fill out the Contact Form below. To request my free Christian readings by email, sent from time to time, please put the word “Follow” in the Comment section.

Thank you!

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com – ” ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ ” (Holy Bible – Acts 17:28)
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Posted on November 28, 2021December 29, 2021 by farsails

10th Anniversary

10th Anniversary – ChristianPoetryPublishing.com
[ChristianPoetryPublishing.WordPress.com / WordsOnTheWay.com / HisPoems.com]

November 2011 – November 2021
“To Rally ‘Round – A Little Closer to Heaven”

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10 (Holy Bible – NIV)
_______________________________________________ Announcement:
ChristianPoetryPublishing.com now has a new connected website – HisPoems.com.
HisPoems.com is a way to get to ChristianPoetryPublishing.com more quickly. It also makes it easier for you to tell people about the site. But no matter what, we are still here to serve you at ChristianPoetryPublishing.com.
_______________________________________________

Anniversary 10 – Amen

By – Charles B. Mayes

IN 2008 SOME HARD CIRCUMSTANCES opened my eyes to my total dependence on God. From this emerged my ministry of writing Christian poetry readings seriously and frequently.

“I do enjoy the poems and they do always point to Jesus.” Anonymous

THROUGH THE YEARS as I’ve been on the website, I also distributed printed readings through individuals, churches, and the LifeWay Christian Store community center.

“Love your poetry writing! So complimentary in the common faith!” Chanel B., DE.

I WANT TO THANK all my email and WordPress followers, LinkedIn readers, and visitors to my website for your continued support.

“I’m sorry that it took me so long to thank you for your wonderful gift of poetry.
As I was reading your poem, [Independence Day] the images of the people celebrating Independence Day and being proud of this day came to me as if I was watching a nice short movie. I was very moved.” Daisuke (Luke) S., Mountain View, CA.

MY APPRECIATION also to Samuel Rondón Acevedo who has done an excellent job translating some of my poems into Spanish.

“I just read ‘Mistaken Identity.’ It is very moving, and one of your best.” Joan M.-H., Muskogee, OK.

ALSO THANKS to my sisters, Nancy and Cherry, and Pastor P.T. Mammen for their encouragement from the beginning. I appreciate the excellent editing of my wife, Dolores. I thank my nephew, William, for helping greatly with the domain.

“I really enjoy your poetry. I will start sharing in my Sunday school classes.” Travis B., Asbury, WV.

LORD WILLING, I want to continue to minister through these poetry readings.

“You keep writing, I’ll keep reading!” Steven C., Oregon.

God bless!

TOP 20 POST VISITS November 2011 – November 2021 in Order from Greatest to Least

1. Home Page / Archives
2. A New Year Resolution
3. God, Help Me This New Year
4. Changes
5. The Old Country Church
6. About the Author
7. Children Praise the Lord: A Thanksgiving Day Reading (with Actions)
8. Children Know the Resurrection: An Easter Sunday Reading
(with Actions)
9. New Book Ministers to Readers
10. Harvest Festival Time
11. I Don’t Have a Father
12. Running to the Tomb
13. New Year
14. Mother and George Washington
15. When I Right a Poem – Rabid to Write / When the Blessings Come
16. Holding Jesus / The Day Before Thanksgiving
17. The Last Thanksgiving
18. A Prayer for America
19. I Prayed for You Today / Christmas Memories / Children Know the Gift: A Christmas Day Reading (with Actions)
20. He’s Already Taken Care of It / Joy in the Morning

TOP 20 POST VISITS BY COUNTRY November 2012 – November 2021 in Order from Greatest to Least [2011 – Not Available]

1. United States
2. Canada
3. United Kingdom
4. China
5. Germany
6. France
7. India
8. Indonesia
9. Philippines
10. Hong Kong SAR China
11. Brazil / Netherlands
12. Russia
13. Venezuela / Australia
14 South Korea
15. Japan / Finland
16. Italy
17. Kenya / Nigeria
18. Bahamas / Barbados / Mexico / Singapore / United Emirates
19. Spain
20. South Africa

POEMS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE in a chapbook titled, A New Year Resolution and Other Poems (including The Missionaries) by Charles B. Mayes. It contains 22 poems. The foreword is written by Dr. P.T. Mammen, Senior Pastor of San Bruno (CA) International Christian Center.

” . . . creative energy evidenced through every line . . .” – Dr. P.T. Mammen

Graphic: Stuart Miles – freerangestock.com

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com – ”As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ ” (Holy Bible – Acts 17:28)

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Posted on November 15, 2021 by farsails

Passage Into Heaven

Passage Into Heaven

(Based On: Psalm 19:1; John 3:16)

For God You are
Creator
Master of the
Heavens
Angels as Your
Servants
Guardians of our
Souls
With acknowledgement that
Christ Jesus
Is the Son of God and our
Lord
Shall be our passage
Into Heaven

— By Floyd Wolfe

Passage Into Heaven © 2020 by Floyd Wolfe. All Rights Reserved.
Graphic: Sweet Publishing / New Harvest Ministries International – FreeBibleimages.org

As we especially think about the recent extremely rare alignment of Saturn and Jupiter, we remember the general revelation of God in the words of the Psalmist, David, as follows:
“The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.” (Holy Bible – Psalm 19:1 – RSV)

We also remember the special revelation when Jesus Christ, the Son of David as a descendant, said the following:
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (Holy Bible – John 3:16 – ESV)

Today, I am again presenting the work of Floyd Wolfe, my friend and gifted poet. When I was sitting in our Bible class at church and looking on the whiteboard I would many times see Floyd’s sayings or short poems “published.” His insights always make me think, bringing me closer to the Lord.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

To request my free Christian readings by email, sent from time to time, please put the word “Follow” in the Comment section.

WordsontheWay.com / ChristianPoetryPublishing.com – ”As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ ” (Holy Bible – Acts 17:28)

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Posted on December 23, 2020 by farsails

Living in the Blessing: A Christmas Thanksgiving

Living in the Blessing:
A Christmas Thanksgiving

The kid wanted that bike all year.
Smiling, walking quickly toward the tree,
The climax of begging his parents daily,
The shiny bike was there. See!

As he jumped on it,
“It doesn’t have a horn –
A beeping one, with a red button!”
He looked so forlorn.

So from that time
To the next Yuletide
He kept pleading for the horn.
Greater, greater, greater magnified.

Then when Christmas arrived,
The next year,
The blaring horn on his bike
Appeared.

He had the blessing,
But it turned out bittersweet
Because he wasn’t satisfied
With only that bike to keep.

Shouldn’t we live in the blessing
This Christmas and all way?
Shouldn’t we thank God for it
Each and every day?

— Charles B. Mayes

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

_________________________________

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com – Established 2011

RELATING ORNAMENTS TO GIFTS

“Really like this poem. [Christmas Is A Family Time / Navidad es época familiar] My favorite line was about the star not being on the tree. Also relating the ornaments to the gifts from the wise men.” Nancy R., Kansas, OK.

SHARING AT SUNDAY SCHOOL

“I really enjoy your poetry. I will start sharing in my Sunday school classes.” Travis B., Asbury, WV.
_________________________________

To request my free Christian readings by email, sent from time to time, please put the word “Follow” in the Comment section.

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com – ”As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ ” (Holy Bible – Acts 17:28)

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Posted on December 7, 2020 by farsails

Christmas Morning / Navidad por la mañana

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning –
Bells ring.
Christmas morning –
Children sing.

Before gifts
Story read.
Before food
Prayer instead.

Paper flying
Off in a flash.
Thank-yous
In a dash.

Reminding us
Of God’s gift long ago –
Baby presented
His love to show.

Being together,
A big part.
Sharing,
What’s on our heart.

Christmas Morning –
Bells ring.
Christmas morning –
Children sing.

— Charles B. Mayes

Graphic: khjafsaneh – pixabay.com

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com – ”As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ ” (Holy Bible – Acts 17:28)

Navidad por la mañana

Navidad por la mañana:
suenan las campanas.
Navidad por la mañana:
cantan gregorianas.

Antes de los regalos,
se leen relatos.
Antes de la comida,
oraciones como grato.

Vuelan papeles
que en el aire parpadean.
Son muchas “gracias”
que en el viento se pasean.

Recordándonos
del regalo de Dios tiempo antes.
Un bebé que mostraría
todo su amor irradiante.

Estando juntos,
en gran parte,
compartiendo
nuestro interno baluarte.

Navidad por la mañana:
suenan las campanas.
Navidad por la mañana:
cantan gregorianas.

— Charles B. Mayes

Traducido por Samuel Rondón Acevedo.

Gráfico: khjafsaneh – pixabay.com

Feliz navidad y feliz año nuevo.

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com – “Como ciertos poetas de entre ustedes han dicho: ‘Porque también somos linaje de él’.(Sagrada Biblia, Hechos 17:28)

Traducido por Samuel Rondón Acevedo.

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Posted on December 25, 2019 by farsails

The Eve of Christmas Eve: A Reading in Three Acts / La víspera de Nochebuena: Una lectura en tres actos

ribbons-1

The Eve of
Christmas Eve:
A Reading in Three Acts

Since Christmas falls on Sunday
With Christmas Eve Service, too,
Might be tough on the folks –
That really won’t do.

Prologue –

There was something even better
Than Christmas Eve this year,
At the church down the road
With the pastors so dear.

It’s that big building.
That’s pretty old.
But a place where the Gospel
Is always lovingly told.

Since Christmas falls on Sunday
With Christmas Eve Service, too,
Might be tough on the folks –
That really won’t do.

Act 1 –

The morning of the Eve of Christmas Eve
Would set the stage just right,
For the awe inspiring program
Which would happen just tonight.

The children were all ready.
They’d memorized their parts.
They knew them so well.
They knew them all by heart.

The technician adjusting slides
So sound would be OK,
And also make the lighting
Point exactly the right way.

Mrs. Jones was calling
Some persons she’d invited
To remind them to come
At 7:00 p.m., she’s excited.

This Pastor was praying
Upon his knees this morn’,
That tonight’s program
Would Jesus Christ adorn.

Now just before tonight,
Time for all to rest,
To make this Christmas Eve Eve
The very, very Best.

Act II –