TRUE CHRISTMAS JOY

'Twas the day before Christmas,
a long time ago
And our beautiful earth
was all covered with snow;

Down the street with their
sleighs came two manly boys,
Who paused at the window
to look at the toys.

Already two others
were there looking in;
But their faces were sad,
and their clothes old and thin.

And the little one said,
"is it because we're so poor
That Santa doesn't come
to our house anymore?"

The older one patted
his wee brother's head,
And hugged him up closely,
as softly he said:

"Oh, maybe he will come
tonight, little Tim,
If we ask in our prayers
for the Lord to send him!"

The little face smiled,
but the boys saw a tear
In the eye of the one
who quelled little Tim's fear.

Then slowly and sadly
the waifs went their way
To the place they called home,
where that night they would pray.

The boys, with their sleighs,
followed closely behind,
And neither one spoke,
but in each childish mind

A beautiful thought
said as plain as could be:
"I'll share with those poor
boys what Santa brings me."

When the two reached their
home, to their father they ran,
And eagerly told him
their unselfish plan.

He was proud of his boys,
who now felt that same love
That sent our dear Savior
from His Home above.

Next morning, still thrilled
with their beautiful thought,
They scampered downstairs
to see what Santa brought,

And they, with the help
of their father and mother,
Selected the presents
for Tim and his brother.

And as the first light of
dawn came into view
The two went their way
with the toys bright and new,

And crept very quietly
up to the door
Where they'd seen the boys
enter the evening before.

As they hurried back home
toward their own Christmas joys,
They could not even dream
how the other two boys,

On finding that Santa
had really been there,
Sent their joy to the One
who had answered their prayer.

That night, when the "Santas"
were ready for bed,
With a hand of their father
on each curly head,

They knew, as they thought
of two poor, happy boys,
What's the truest and choicest
of all Christmas joys.
by Tennett Morrell