"Ready for Christmas," she said with a sigh
   As she gave a last touch to the gifts piled high.
Then wearily sat for a moment to read
   Til soon, very soon, she was nodding her head.

Then quietly spoke a voice in her dream,
   "Ready for Christmas, what do you mean?
Ready for Christmas when only last week
   You wouldn't acknoledge your friend on the street?

Ready for Christmas while holding a grudge?
   Perhaps you'd better let God be the judge."
She woke with a start and a cry of despair,
   "There's so little time and I've still to prepare.

Oh, Father! Forgive me, I see what you mean!
   To be ready means more than a house swept clean.
Yes, more than the giving of gifts and a tree.
   It's the heart swept clean that He wanted to see,
A heart that is free from bitterness and sin.
   So be ready for Christmas - and ready for Him.