A Rainy Night Before Christmas
T’was a rainy night before Christmas. I wasn’t in the house.
Street creatures were stirring, especially the louse.
My stockings were soaked as I searched the wet streets,
In hope I’d find homeless with needs I could meet.
When as expected, what did I see, but huddled together a family of three.
Their clothes they were thread-bare, their faces forlorn,
It looked like the baby just had been born.
He asked for a box to cover their heads.
His eyes soon told me I had nothing to dread.
Then helping them up, I led them home,
Where hot drinks and food warmed their cold bones.
As the babe snuggled deeply in his blanket so warm,
And his parents slept soundly awaiting the morn.
I thought of a family of long ago,
Whose plight was the same, as you well know.
So I gave them a blessing as I turned off the light.
Merry Christmas to all. Keep the poor in your sight.
Sister Barbara Ann Webster penned the poem above while reflecting back on what she considers to be her most grace-filled ministry, working with and advocating for the homeless of Washington, D.C. in the late 1980s. To read about Sister Barbara Ann's inspirational time there and the special giving wishes of some of our Sisters this Christmas, please click the button below.
