T'was the night before Christmas
       And all through the house
Not a creature was stirring
       Not even a mouse

The missionary stockings were hung
       By the chimney with care
In hopes that their gifts
       Soon would be there

The missionaries were nestled
       All snug in their beds
While visions of baptisms
       Danced in their heads.

And mama in her kerchief
       And I in my cap,
Had just settled down
       For a long needed nap.

When out on the lawn
       There arose such a clatter.
I sprang from my bed
       To see what was the matter.

Away to the window
       I was there in a dash;
I Tore open the shutters
       And threw up the sash

The moon shown brightly
       On the new fallen snow
And gave a luster of brightness
       To objects below.

When what to my wondering
       Eyes should appear,
But a symphony of angels
       Singing so clear

A message they had
       In that song sung so clear;
Teach the gospel dear missionaries
       Teach for all to hear.

You have a great journey
       Though not easy at all.
They sung and they sung
       Til morning did fall.

As I drew in my head
       And was turning around;
I wondered who had heard
       The angels message in town.

Why surely all
       In the land did hear.
That beautiful symphony of angels
       Singing so clear.

I rushed and called
       All the missionaries to the hall;
Did you hear the angels singing
       A message of glad tidings to all?

The tears streamed down
       The faces of each one,
I knew they had heard
       For their faces had shown.

A Savior was born
       And died for each one;
We must teach the gospel true
       Until we are done.

Not one soul can be lost
       No, not one in the land.
Each lamb must be found
       Yes, we must stand.

For a brief moment I listened
       I heard a voice so deep...
Yet, a whisper so softly
       Please feed my sheep.

With this message He came
       And soon was gone.
The message is to teach
       Each and every one.

As the angels ascended
       To Heaven above;
We heard them exclaim
       Merry Christmas with love.

   Tammy Wright, Dec 2003