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The Greatest Of Gifts

Twas the night before Christmas and as I looked round my tent,
I couldn’t believe all the money I’d spent
For trains and dolls, for trinkets and toys
Some for the girls and some for the boys.

I looked round once more to be sure things were right;
The kids were all in bed for the night.
I set up the track for the train I bought Ted,
The train went round twice and the battery went dead.

I put on my cap, my gloves, and my coat;
I went to Ames and over to Zayre.
You guess it my friend, no batteries there!
As I left the store a thought came to me,
I had one in the remote of the color TV.

Well, I placed that remote in my wife’s favorite chair
I was ready for Christmas with hours to spare.
When out came my wife and punched that remote
And then said to me, “The TV’s broke!”

So on with the coat, the gloves, and the cap
Out in the cold about ready to snap.
I went to K-Mart and stood in that line
From 8:35 ’til a quarter past nine.

As I came to the checkout, my heart leaped with glee —
There was that one lonesome battery just waiting for me.
When from my behind I seen this hand slip
And grab that battery with a real tight grip.

I wheeled around and what did I see?
This giant of a man glaring down at me.
Well, I remembered an ad I had seen on TV
Buy a Big Mac, get your batteries free.

So, I bought me a burger I didn’t want…
They were out of batteries, so on with hunt.
I finally found one at Servi-Star,
Paid for my purchase and made for my car.
When I entered the door of my humble shack,
My wife said, “What’s this battery for I found in a sack?”

I was out there in the press, the push, and the greed
To buy me a battery I didn’t even need.
At last I relaxed in my easy chair,
When this still small voice came out of somewhere.

“You’re ready for Christmas with toys, tinsel, and tree
You’ve got it all together, but what about me?”
I fell on my knees and cried, “God, what have I done?”
I got caught up in the madness and neglected your Son.

The best gift of all you’ve given for free
Your Son, Jesus Christ, for sinners like me.
You sent Him to suffer the shame and the loss,
To shed his life’s blood for me on the cross.
Well friend, I’ll never forget ere I rest ‘neath the sod,
The greatest of gifts is given by God.

—Adapted from a poem entitled, “Twas the Night Before Christmas” by Jim Kamerer