Reflections at Christmas

Reflections at Christmas
December 2008
By Michael Stitzel

I wrote this one afternoon as I lay on the floor of my office. I realized that I had gotten so involved with reading Christian blogs, reading sermons, listening to podcasts, studying God’s word, and reflecting on truth that I had failed to “Be Still” and be with God. As I settled my mind and my heart before God, I began weeping over my sin and His Holiness. This poem was the expression of those thoughts and emotions.


I fall on my face and weep
Grief so deep, all I desire is sleep
I am all to aware how short I fall
Of breaking God’s Law, I am guilty of all

Your holiness, so perfect and pure
I could never attain, of this I am sure
Your justice demands compensation
Of which I have no hope of reconciliation.

Death and eternal punishment are on my statement
And I have nothing else to offer as payment
My fate seems sealed and sure
For my condition there seems to be no cure

My sin too great, my ability to small
The task is too enormous, I will surely fall
Grief and despair fill my bones, I cannot cope
I cry out, surely there must be some hope!

Then You reveal a secret so true
Of what You had always intended to do
You prepared Your own Son
To bear my sin, though He had none

Only the shed blood of One so perfect
The consequences of my sin could correct
So, the only One never to sin
Bore my sin, the victory to win

Choosing me, changing me
He drew me to Himself, His to be
“My Child” He exclaims in delight
As I enter the presence of His sight.

So, on my face I lay and weep
Knowing Your Laws I can never fully keep
Although, in my heart, I desire to please You
And to obey and give You thanks in all I do

I weep that I rejoice when Christ was born
And when He came to earth to bear scorn
For by coming to face death for me
I have hope that Your child I can be
But the cost of that great hope was high
And Your only Son to death You had to resign

I’m sorry that it cost so great a price
I’m sorry that my joy is your grief
I’m sorry that my sin caused such pain

Thank You for the grief and pain You endured
Hope and joy are mine; from sin’s power I am cured
Thank You for willingly paying the cost
To save an enemy and sinner who was lost

I rejoice this Christmas season, more than ever before at the remembrance of Christ’s birth. It is the greatest and only gift I actually need.

Praise You God in Heaven. The Giver of Hope, Grace, Mercy, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation