Preparing for Victory
Ready for Christmas
A revised version of the poem by:
Alice Hansche Mortenson
"Ready for Christmas," she said with a sigh
As she gave a last touch to the gifts piled high.
Wearily she rocked for a moment and read
Till soon her eyes closed and she nodded her head.
Then quietly did speak a voice in her dream,
"Ready for Christmas; what ere do you mean?
Ready for Christmas when only last week
You wouldn't acknowledge your friend on the street?
Ready for Christmas, while holding a grudge?
Perhaps you had better let God be the judge.
Tell me; how can the Saviour come and abide
In a heart that is stubborn and so filled with pride?
Ready for Christmas, when only today
A beggar lad came and you turned him away
Without even a smile to show that you cared?
The little he asked; it could have been spared.
Ready for Christmas, you've worked it is true
Doing only the things that you wanted to do.
Ready for Christmas, your efforts are small.
Child, you are not ready for Christmas at all!".
She awoke with a start and a cry of despair.
"My heart, not my home, is what I need to prepare.
For much more than the giving of gifts, and a tree
Is a heart that's swept clean by Lord Jesus, I see!
O, Father, forgive me for being so blind.
I should have prepared for the Saviour to find
Clearing doubt from my heart then inviting Him in.
Now I'm 'Ready for Christmas', for there's room at the inn!"
Author Unknown
