The following article was originally published on December 19, 2008:
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!