The Night After Christmas

By Wayne Stiles

I’ve decided that during the holiday season we should change the mall’s name to “maul.” I’ve never seen such mayhem—kids running, parents screaming, people impatiently standing in long lines—all to the music of “Joy to the World” in the background. Good grief! The irony of it all seemed somewhat humorous. (But not really.)

And if you decide to head to the “maul” the night after Christmas, you’ll see more of the same chaos—a rush of returns in exchange for even . . . more . . . stuff.

So in honor of those days after Christmas, I’ve decided to try my hand at rewriting Clement Clarke Moore’s Christmas classic. Here she goes. (Ahem.)

’Twas the night after Christmas, when all through the house,
Every creature was searching (both me and my spouse),
The stockings, the drawers, we looked everywhere,
In hopes the receipts for our gifts would be there.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the house to see what was the matter.
When, what to my wondering eyes should I see,
But my neighbor, too searching, his trash on the street.

More rapid than eagles he looked, but in vain,
And he shouted his creditors, and called them by name:
“On VISA! On MASTERCARD! On DISCOVER, I’m appalled!
I’ve thrown cash away! Cash away! Cash away—all!”

He’d splurged once again; he knew it too well,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard in my head,
A gentle reminder from what he had said.

I, too, was as guilty, from my head to my foot,
My conscience was tarnished like ashes and soot;
I focused, this season, on presents and things,
And not on my family, my friends, and my King.

I spoke not a word, but went straight to my work,
Ran into my house (I’d been such a jerk!),
Right up to my wife I came with a hug,
And kissed all my kids, right there on the rug.

“The night after Christmas is better,” said I,
“Than never recalling in Christmas is Christ!
The best of all gifts, which to us has been given,
Is Jesus, who died for our sins . . . and is risen!”

About the author

Wayne Stiles

Wayne Stiles received his master of theology in Pastoral Ministries and doctor of ministry in Biblical Geography from Dallas Theological Seminary. In 2005, after serving in the pastorate for 14 years, Wayne joined the staff at Insight for Living Ministries, where he led a team of writers, editors, and pastors as the executive vice president and chief content officer. Wayne currently serves as the host of Walking the Bible Lands, a Web site that gives virtual video tours of the lands of the Bible. He also writes a popular blog that can be found at www.waynestiles.com. Wayne and his wife, Cathy, live in Aubrey, Texas, and have two daughters.

Article Library