THE CHRISTMAS SIGN

'Twas the night before Christmas
And throughout the land
People were kneeling
And all holding hands....

Their world had been shattered
With violence and hate
They gathered each praying
That it wasn't too late.....

In churches and mosques
And prayer lines on the phones
Synagogues and temples
And small private homes.....

The idea had started
With one little girl
Who wished for one prayer
From all of the world!

Everyone of God's children
From each different nation
United for one hour
Of prayer and dedication

The girl told her best friend
Who then told her teacher
Who the following Sunday
Shared the idea with her preacher

From there it just snowballed
With flyers and speeches.....
Commercials on TV
Everywhere radio reaches!

Someone sent an email...
That burned up the wire
It raced 'round the Internet
Like an uncontrollable fire!

From computers to cell phones
Faxes through cyberspace
The world wide web was overwhelmed
As it continued to race!!

The date was decided
For most seemed to believe
That this magical hour
Should take place Christmas Eve

For surely if the planet
Could somehow unite,
In prayer, God would hear us
On this most special of nights....

They gathered in stadiums
Town cafeterias and halls
School gyms and chat rooms
Each filled wall-to-wall

All of Europe's great cathedrals
Were filled to overflowing
Never before in all history
Had there been such a showing!

Spain, Portugal, Singapore
Greece, Kenya and Paraguay
Rome, Chile, Columbia
The good, old USA!

Exactly at 10 pm
The service would start
The little girl with a dream
Would say a prayer from her heart

In the tiny church hall
Where the girl usually prayed
Microphones and speakers were wired
Her words would be relayed

To the very ends of this planet
And then back again
So the World could join her
Praying for peace to all men!

The small girl stepped slowly
In front of the crowd
All the satellites and cameras
Made the static so loud!

Then a great hush fell over
All those gathered there
The World held its breath
As she started her prayer.....

DEAR GOD, UP IN HEAVEN
PLEASE HEAR US TONIGHT
LET YOUR ANGLES FLY DOWN
AND SHOW US YOUR LIGHT!!
PLEASE STOP ALL THE HATRED
HELP US MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE
AS TONIGHT WE ALL PRAY
WITH ONE SINGLE VOICE......
SHOW US THE WAY , GOD
TO LIVE IN PEACE AND TO SHARE
ALL WE HAVE WITH OUR BROTHERS
EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE....
AND GOD, ONE MORE THING
IF YOU HAVE TIME AND YOU COULD
SEND US SOME SORT OF SIGN
IT WOULD DO PEOPLE GOOD
SO THOSE WHO HAVE DOUBTS
CAN BE TAUGHT TO BELIEVE
THAT'D BE A VERY GOOD LESSON
FOR THIS CHRISTMAS EVE!!
SO PLEASE TELL THE ANGELS
TO BRING PEACE DOWN TO MEN
LIKE THEY DID THAT FIRST CHRISTMAS
SO LONG AGO..................AMEN

When the little girl had finished
There wasn't a sound......
All over the world
Only silence was found......

When suddenly a voice
In the back, cried out, "Look!"
"Up there near the ceiling!"
And that was all it took.....

Every eye in the world.....
For the cameras still rolled,
Glanced quickly upwards
Just as they'd been told.....

High overhead everyone could see
Innumerable flickering balls of light
The entire world stood spellbound
At this miraculous sight!

Then as people watched in awe
Each glowing orb changed to a dove
The universally accepted symbol
Of God's undying love!

A gasp spread quickly through the hall
The electronic feedback was the same
Reports of the doves from around the world
As each country checked in by name.....

The beautiful birds were everywhere
Radiating warmth and peace
This was the sign the girl had asked for.....
So that doubt would finally cease....

She clapped her hands quite merrily
She was unable to keep still
Delighted with this wonderful show
Of God's great and loving will!

Wondrous exclamations
Songs and hymns of praise
Such a loud and joy-filled noise
Caused the rooftops all to raise!!

That night knew no division
There was no rank or class
Just the whole wide world united
As one, in peace, at last!!

Now you may think that this is just
Another poets pretty rhyme....
But if you still believe in miracles
Could there be a better time?

Christmas is only 5 weeks away......
And with all the world's been through
I think a universal hour of prayer
Is a great idea, don't you?

During the days that followed the attacks,
World-wide we joined to grieve....
So let's try again .........for single hour
To pray this Christmas Eve.......

Forward this poem to everyone,
Print, copy, share and send
Customers, neighbors, co-workers
Relatives, families, friends!!!!!!!

Because I am sure of one thing......
Amid memories of smoke and ash and dirt
One solid hour of world-wide prayer
Certainly couldn't hurt!!!!!!

Dusty Tincher c 2001
Winston-Salem NC