Several years ago, about this time of year, I dreamt that I was in Bethlehem the night that Christ was born. I decided that I wanted to go out into the countryside to visit the manger, but when I left the lights of town, everything was pitch black. I had thought that I could find the manger, looking for the Star of Bethlehem, but there were no stars in the sky. Somehow, I managed to find my way to the manger, and when I opened the door and looked in, it was completely dark, and empty. I awoke with a start, in a cold sweat. My heart was racing, and all I could say to myself was, "Without that night, what would my life be?"

Let me stop here for a moment and speak to all my friends who do not share my belief. I write this not to try to "cram my faith down your throat." I respect you all, and whatever beliefs you may hold. I write this because my heart is filled with love, not judgment or any delusion of holiness. If you find this offensive, I wish you my best and encourage you to move on to some other thread. Sometimes, we just have to talk about what we believe without any desire to dishonor any one else.

As I sat up in bed, repeating that line, the words started to come..

"Without that night, tell me what would life be?
Without that man from Galilee.
No star to guide us safely through
Without Jesus, can you tell me, what would you do?

I was asking this question of myself. I am the "you" in the questions... not you or those who do not believe in Christ.

Over the next few hours, the rest of the song came.

WITHOUT THAT NIGHT

Without that night, tell me what would life be?
Without that man from Galilee?
No star to guide us safely through
Without Jesus can you tell me, what would you do?

CHORUS:

   And when you awake in the morning
   Who would guide you through your day
   And who would be there beside you
   If you needed to kneel down and pray
   Could you find any hope in tomorrow?
   Could you face the future alone?
   When you come to the end of your journey
   Who'd be there to carry you home?

If the stable was empty, all quiet and still
With no star brightly shining on the crest of the hill
No angels to sing of his glory divine
No Wise Men to travel, the baby to find

Without his love, and the price that he paid
Who could you turn to, your soul to save
He is my light in the darkness, my calm in the storm
Sweet Jesus, blessed Savior, thank God you were born

I post this for those who share my belief, or at least who can respect my belief even though it is not theirs. For those who find Christmas offensive and are angry about any reference to it, I just ask that you accept this in the spirit in which it is offered. Out of love.

Jerry