It is Christmas Eve in Heaven...

I wasn't planning on posting again until after Christmas but as I was reading this to the boys I thought many of you would enjoy it. It is one of my favorite Christmas poems...

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

It is Christmas Eve in Heaven

Only once in awhile does she allow her thoughts to retrace the path of the days when she walked humbly as the chosen handmaid of the Lord, in patience waiting for the fulfillment of the angel's prophecy that she should "bring forth a Son and call him Jesus!"

Only once in awhile...Then the stars seem to increase their brilliance; the songs of the angels break through the clouds in greater triumph...And finally, the Star reaches its peak of glory, and all the Heavens catch fire from its light...

Mary takes her place at the knees of the One who sat at her knee so many centuries ago, and once again it seems that the Star stays its brilliance directly over the place where she sits with the Christ...

It is Christmas Eve in Heaven;
In the background, angels sing;
'Round the Heavenly throne, Saints gather;
One by one their gifts they bring-

Heavenly frankincense and myrrh
Brought from Wise Men from afar;
Hearts aglow with love and worship
From Shepherds who first saw the star.

Mem'ries of His prayers and teachings
Shine through the apostles eyes
As they pause to pay their tribute
For His love-filled sacrifice.

Mary's smile greets all of them;
"Rabboni!" cries the Magdalene,
Kneeling now in rapturous worship
Of the One who made her clean;

Now comes Lazarus and his sisters,
Belov'd by Christ in Bethany;
Following them is Jericho's blind man
Whose faith in Christ caused him to see.

All the Saints bow down in worship-
Humble, thankful, full of praise;
All the angels lift their voices
As the Star extends its rays

To the sin-filled world below,
Reminding men of Love that can
Point the way to Bethlehem,
Point true paths of peace to man.

It is Christmas Eve in Heaven;
It is Christmas Eve on Earth;
Let men bring their gifts in honor
Of the Christ Child's humble birth...

Holy Virgin Mary draws the curtain
Over years of memories,
Pins it with the Star of Heaven;
Bows once more in prayer for peace.

-Shirley Robinson Flynn, Religious Christmas Stories for Children