Inspired by a devotional she read in 2013, Susan Jones of Roanoke County has now written a Christmas poem for eight years in a row. A dedicated educator, she taught full-time with Roanoke County Public Schools from 1971-2004 and then served as a substitute teacher for an additional five years.
In this year’ poem she creates an extended metaphor about setting up a nativity set in her home–a popular Christmas decoration here in Southwest Virginia and around much of the world–and then closes by relating it to the reader.
Jesus Came For Us
Every year about this time!
I display the manger scene;
And as I place each piece
I remember what they mean.
The angel spoke words of promise
To young Mary late one night;
Even though she had many questions
She surrendered to the light!
The angel visited Joseph
Elizabeth and Zechariah too;
As they pondered all these things
They had faith it all was true!
I sat the humble donkey there
Who carried them day and night;
To Bethlehem for the prophecy
Fulfilled when the time was right.
As I placed the lowly shepherds
I wondered how they felt;
When the bright star led to a manger
And before the Lamb Of God, they knelt!
I put the wise men in their spot
What beckoned them to come so far;
Searching for a Holy Child
From studying celestial stars?
It was time for Baby Jesus
But I couldn’t find Him anywhere;
Panic sent me searching
And I found Him lying safely on a chair!
That caused me to start thinking
What if Jesus had never come?
We too would be lost and hopeless
Wondering where help would come from!
There are many people today
Who have not found the Savior yet;
He waits patiently for them to come
He has already paid their debt!
**Let us be faithful to remember to tell others
Jesus came for them too!
–Susan Jones
