'Twas the week before Christmas, and the family so busy
Just watching them move would make one feel dizzy.
Wrapped packages were stacked almost over your head
Big ones and small ones, with labels that said,
"To Johnny, to Mary, to Susan and Tom,
To Billy, to Freddie, to Daddy and Mom..."
The kitchen was filled with cookies and savors,
And cakes and pies of all sizes and flavors.
The family was ready to honor Christ's birth,
And the whole house shook with holiday mirth.
Grandparents, nieces, nephews and cousins
Had arrived at the house--it seemed there were dozens.
Carols were playing on stereo loud speakers,
Grandkids, poking the gifts, were all "peekers."
How delightful to be with friends so dear,
Sad Christmas comes but once in each year.
Then someone asked, "What about church? A service tonight?
Where hymns will be sung and scriptures delight,
And we can honor this day Jesus was born?"
And the family grew quiet, withdrawn and forlorn.
None planned to go to the House of our Lord
to worship Him - the thought was deplored!.
Why, there were games to watch on the color TV,
And gifts to unwrap and neighbors to see.
There was food to digest and so much to sample;
There wasn't any time to go to God's Temple.
Why, God won't care that we haven't the time
When there's guests in our house and a chance to unwind.
So what if it's His birthday? We need this rest!
Why should we celebrate God's giving His Best?
So none of them went to church on that day
This was the time to stay home and to play.
The One Christmas honored, Who gave of Himself,
They quietly dismissed and put on the shelf.