A Reminder by Rhyme
My dad has always had a knack for writing good poems.  Some of them are hilarious.  Others are rather profound.  All of them convey a wonderful talent that Dad has put to good use over the years.  
One of my dad’s earlier poems centered on Christmas. ¬†In it, Dad encourages his readers to keep their focus on Christ – not in the sense that the world does this time of season but with the knowledge of who He really is and what He came to do.
Many folks have liked the evangelical thrust of this poem so much, that they have placed miniature copies of it in their Christmas cards. Whether you keep this to yourself or pass it on to others, I pray that you will heed its vital message.
The Christ of the Cross
by James W. Fletcher
Amidst all the tinsel and trappings,
The holiday glitter and gloss,
God help us to see past the wrappings,
Remembering Christ and the cross.
While many grow tear-eyed and tender
When scenes of the stable they see,
To little¬†Lord Jesus they’ll render their thanks
But not the Christ of the tree.
Now marvel we must at the manger,
The Babe, and the Bethlehem birth.
But, oh, let us stay not a stranger
To why Jesus entered this earth.
For Christ in the cradle could never
Have saved us from infinite loss;
But praise Him forever and ever -
He’s also the Christ of the cross!
3 Responses to “A Reminder by Rhyme”
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Hi Matt,
Thank-you for sharing that beautiful poem. What a tremendous blessing it must be for you to have those wonderful works from your Dad. In this day where Christmas has become the ultimate holiday for committed hedonists, your Dad’s poem refreshingly explains the truth of Christmas in all its richness; it is a great reminder that the the baby we read about in the manger is God, come to take away the sins of the world. While we all observe Christmas through an emphasis of peace on earth, the spirit of giving, joy and gladness, and kindess toward our fellow man (all good things) they are all inadequate responses to the birth of Christ unless they are the products of a worshipful heart, or as your Dad said, “praise Him forever and ever.” And we do praise Him; the first time He came a star marked His arrival, wise men brought gifts, there was no room, and only a few attended. Next time all of heaven will be lit by His glory, He will bring the rewards, the world won’t be able to contain His glory, and every eye will see Him. The Christ of the cross will come as Sovereign King and Lord of all.
Blessings,
Rob
Your Dad’s poem really reminds us that with Jesus, our eternal salvation is at stake. I was just watching a movie about Jesus last night, where they depicted the terrible slayings of infants that took place in Bethlehem shortly after Jesus was born. There, you did have a king, Herod, who WAS threatened by baby Jesus. The Son of God was kept safe, of course.
Good point Eddie, I once read that Herod called himself “King of the Jews” so he certainly was threatened when he heard someone else who had been born was being called King of the Jews. His entire life was one of plotting and murder. I also read because no one would weep for him when he died, he had the most distinguished citizens of Jerusalem put in prision and commanded that they be executed the moment he died to ensure the weeping of the people saying, “I want them weeping, even if it is over someone else.” Herod missed the first Christmas, even more tragic he missed salvation. Lots of people today are like Herod. They feel threatened by Jesus, they are not willing to give up their throne, their position, their power, their ambition, their plans, their career, or their lifestyle, they just will not accept God’s right to rule over their kingdoms (Luke 19:14), kingdoms made of sand. They miss Christmas, they miss salvation, every morning they pick up their scepter not their cross.
Blessings,
Rob