A Story to Tell | An Institute for Cultural Communicators Christmas Poem

A poem based on a true story from the Institute for Cultural Communicators.

‘Twas a month before Christmas, and all through the town

The public school librarians were running around

Calling all of the students they knew, for you see,

Soon they’d host an event promoting literacy.

As their calendar filled, so their hearts did – with cheer – 

At the thought of all of the stories they’d hear

For the students had promised to read lots of books

To all local families – no one overlooked!

But alas, when that fateful day arrived,

The students weren’t there – for as much as they strived

The librarians could not truly impact the hearts

Of those who neither feared or cared for the art

Of reading aloud or serving their peers,

And their elders, and the ones of wee years.

The few that had honored their word and did show

Presented their stories flatly. There was no

Heart in their words, and the librarians sighed

Wondering if storytelling had, in fact, died.

But then a group rose amidst all the bored chatter;

The hosts sprang from their seats to assess the matter!

And what to their wondering eyes did appear

But ten courteous students, their expressions sincere!

These students walked confidently up to the stage;

Eyes bright, they expressively turned the first page.

Their gripping display had the room in a trance –

Their eloquence lovely, their diction advanced.

And when they had finished, the librarians saw

Them take to the crowd, they didn’t withdraw

But rather showed love, affection, and care

To all of the families that had listened there.

As the librarians thanked them, beaming with glee,

You’d think, “That was it! Poem over! Now I’m free!”

But rather, my friend, the best tale starts now,

As the hosts greeted them and uttered, “WOW!

Your students not only showed up, didn’t flake,

But such a passion for others even we couldn’t fake!

And so we’d like to extend this invitation:

This Christmas, return, give another recitation!

But next time, rather than choose from our list,

You students pick the story. Please, please, we insist!”

So that ICC chapter went home and prepared,

For they knew exactly which story needed to be shared. 

December arrived, and the bold students took

To the stage with a very old book.

Then one small child, with eyes shining bright

With joy overflowing and God’s love and light,

Raised her hands to the crowd and said, “Did you know

That the first Christmas came 2,000 years ago?”

And she and her friends began then to share

The true meaning of Christmas to everyone there.

Because of their training, these children and teens

Were able to share what it truly means

To have a heavenly Father who loves us so much

That He bundled himself into flesh we could touch

And came as a baby to dwell with mankind

To cleanse every soul, and to all sins unbind.

And that, my dear friends, is why we do what we do;

Christmas is everything for me and you.

Because Jesus came to the earth as a child, 

Because he came and was killed and reviled,

We are able to communicate, able to share,

Able to treat those around us with care.

So remember, amidst snow and bright jingle bells:

We have a story to tell,

And it’s worth telling well.

At the Institute, we’re getting Christians around the globe ready to speak! Through 31 December, all donations to our nonprofit are being doubled by a generous donor – will you help us meet our fundraising goal and empower more students to tell the greatest story ever told?