'Twas the first night of
Christmas a long time ago;
The hillside was peaceful,
the moon was aglow.
The world couldn't know
from what happened before;
That men would remember
this night evermore.

The sheep on the hillside
their days journey over;
Were dreaming sweet dreams
of a field full of clover.
The shepherds were watchful
while guarding their flock;
The earth was their pillow,
the stars were their clock.

Then all of a sudden,
they jumped at the sight;
Of the sky all ablaze
with a heavenly light.
They huddled in fear,
then they started to rise;
As the lightening-like
flash tore open the skies.

The heavens were split
by the silvery ray;
The dark disappeared and
the night became day.
And lo, at the end
of the rainbow of light;
Appeared then an angel
to banish their fright.

The angel brought news
of a birth in a manger;
And bade them to hasten
to welcome the stranger.
For Mary had just given
birth to a boy;
Whose coming would bring
so much comfort and joy,

A choir of angels looked
down from the sky;
And heavenly voices
were heard from on high.
Peace be on earth
and good will to all men;
The Savior has come
on this night, Amen.

The heavenly angels
then faded from sight;
The sky once again
turned from day to night.
The shepherds all quietly
rose from the ground;
And hurried to go where
the child would be found.

As they reached Bethlehem
and the inn was in sight;
From the barn came a
trickle of half-hidden light.
It led like a path
to a soft little bed;
And shone very tenderly
on a child's head.

The child in the manger
was sleeping so sound;
His eyes were still closed,
as the shepherds stood round.
From that instant of grace
on that night long ago;
Thousands of years would
be warmed by the glow.

Guided by light
from a bright shining star;
Came a pilgrimage
led of three kings from afar.
They were dressed in
the finest of satins and lace;
Their complexions
were that of an Orient race.

The three wealthy kings
were wise men and proud;
But they went to the Christ
child and solemnly bowed.
They came bearing treasures
of incense and gold;
To that sweet little child,
still not very old.

The star in the sky
twinkled down from above;
The world was awakened
to kindness and love.
The past was forgotten,
the future was bright;
And the spirit of Christmas
was born on that night.

"Daddy", she said,
her eyes full of tears,
"Will you talk to me
and quiet my fears?
Those bad boys at school
are spreading a lie;
About the impossibility
of reindeer that fly.

There's no Santa Claus,
they say with a grin;
There's not one now and
there never has been.
How can one man
take all of those toys.
To thousands and thousands
of good girls and boys?

But I told them Daddy,
that they were not right,
That I would come home
and find out tonight.
Mama said wait until
you would come home.
Please tell me, Daddy,
that I was not wrong."

Her Daddy looked at
her questioning face;
And puffed his pipe while
his frantic mind raced.
He had put this off
as long as he could,
He had to think fast
and it better be good.

Whispering a prayer,
he began with a smile,
"Well climb on my lap, dear,
let's talk awhile.
Remember at church
how we learned to pray,
Asking God to take care
of us each day?

And, you know how we say
grace before each meal?
To this same God whom
we know to be real.
Though we never see him,
we know he is there;
Watching his children
with such loving care."

God started Christmas
a long time ago;
When he gave us his Son
to love and to know.
A spirit of giving
came with that birth,
And God's generosity
filled the whole earth.

Man had to name
this spirit of giving;
Just as he names all
things that are living."
The name Santa Claus
came to someone's mind;
Probably the best name
of any to find.

There is, you can see,
and I think quite clear;
Truly a Santa who
visits each year.
A spirit like God,
whom we never see,
He enters the hearts
of your mother and me.

Each year at Christmas
for one special night;
We become him and
make everything right.
But the REAL
spirit of Christmas
is in you and in me;
And I hope you are old
enough now to see.

That as we believe
and continue to give,
Our friend Santa Claus
will continue to live."