It’s Christmas Eve

 

 

Hi there, family!

Biological and otherwise,

Christmas Eve greetings to you all:

The familiar, not so familiar

And the disguised.

 

You have come through the year

Up to Christmas Eve,

Do not spoil it now,

I beg you, please!

 

So many things can go wrong

At this rushed hour time,

There’s that last-minute list

Weighing heavily on your mind.

 

But tomorrow is not the end

And neither is today

So please don’t leave your head at home

Even if it usually gets in your way.

 

Try not to multitask

When using our highway,

It should never ever be done,

But especially today.

Concentrate on your driving

And when walking the street,

Be aware of all that is around you

And be very discreet.

 

There are myriad reasons

Why people are out there

And all of them are not legit

So, please be prepared!

 

And you at home,

I have a caution for you,

You don’t need a woodfire now

To cook you and your stew.

 

I put it euphemistically

But maybe I should spell it out,

Please do not create a fire

That you can’t put out.

 

We are into fire season

And I don’t mean cane fires,

So, throwing caution to the wind

Will get you deep in the mire.

 

Finally, I beg you,

Stay home if you can,

Don’t just go out for the excitement

And ill-fate fan.

 

It’s no use taking a gamble

Just for one single day

And then living with the regret

All the rest of your days.

 

There’s life after Christmas

It’s not the end of the world,

It’s Christmas Eve, family,

Don’t be absurd!

 

To have the best of Christmas

You must live to enjoy it,

So, if danger is your business

It is high time you quit.

 

Have a Christ-filled Christmas!

For, what is Christmas without Christ?

It would be like deriving zero benefit

After the greatest sacrifice.

 

Stewart Russell © December 24, 2021

 

Why Do You Go?

 

 

Is it for the fine music?

The reggae, the soul, the jazz?

Is it for the fancy talk?

Or, perhaps the razzmatazz?

 

The reason why, is the question:

To Church is what I mean,

Is it for the afore mentioned?

Or, is yours another scene?

 

Is it the architecture?

The vaulted ceilings and more?

Or, the stained-glass windows

That help your spirit to soar?

Why do you go to church?

That is the critical question:

Is it for a promised breakthrough

Promised in some sermon?

 

Or, is it some other reason

You want to keep to yourself:

Maybe some deep inner conviction

To boost your spiritual health?

 

I could go on asking

For the myriad of reasons why,

One may admit to these reasons

Another might staunchly deny.

 

In conclusion, let me quote

The venerable Charles Spurgeon,

Just a few words there are

But make a poignant sermon.

 

“Do not go

where there is all fine music,

and beautiful architecture.

Go where the gospel is preached.

And go often.”

 

In this current church era

A lot has risen to prominence

But regarding the gospel of salvation

There has been much negligence.

 

Riches and wealth are promoted

So too, popularity and fame,

Add to these the spiritual titles

And association with big names.

 

So, if you go for the music

Or for the celebrities of the church,

It’s time you jettison such illusions

Or you will be left in the lurch.

 

Go to hear the gospel

And go to hear it often,

Go to fellowship with the brethren

And thank God you are forgiven.

  

“Do not go

where there is all fine music,

and beautiful architecture.

Go where the gospel is preached.

And go often.”

 

Stewart Russell © August 3, 2021