A few evenings ago I was in the livingroom, looking at the Nativity I have had for years. The little shelter is made of wooden pieces and the characters of ceramic. A tealight flickered behind the angel and as I watched, it seemed that the ceramic figures came to life.
And I began to wonder..."What if I had been there?"
WHAT IF I HAD BEEN THERE?
What if I had been there
On that first Christmas Day
Would I have offered shelter
Or turned weary ones away
Would I have offered comfort
A warm crusty loaf of bread
Would I have given all I had…
What would I have said?
If I had heard a baby crying
Or heard a Mama's prayer
What if I had been there
What could I have shared
What if I had been there
To kiss His tiny face
What if I had been the first
To claim Amazing Grace?
What if I had been there
On that sweet night so still
What if I had been
A shepherd on a hill
Would I have gone running
To the stable's glowing light
Would I have made a difference
In one family's life?
What if I had been there
A so-called wise man from afar
Traveling long and in despair
Chasing some great star
What if I had been there
And had brought a gift of gold
Would it have been a selfless gift of love
Or a gift to save my soul?
What if Mary had needed me
Would I have helped a stranger
What would I have given
A Baby in a manger
What if I had been there
To see that newborn lamb
What if I had been there
To find out who I am?
What if I am there right now
And see the need each day
What if I know someone
Who struggles in every way
What if I live near a child
Who goes to bed with hunger
What if I do all I can
So I never have to wonder:
What if I had been there?
What if I had been there?
WHAT IF I AM THERE RIGHT NOW?
WHAT IF I HAD BEEN THERE?
by: Sister Saxon - 2015
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
