Ten years later, the poem became the basis for a short movie cartoon. Rudolph's fame spread when music was added. Popular cowboy singer Gene Autry recorded it and millions of records were sold.

By the time it was made into a television special in 1974, it had become a part of America's Christmas tradition. The original poem with Rudolph memorabilia is on display at Robert May's alma mater, Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH.

The light of Rudolph's nose is a joy to behold in pictures. But it is only a symbol of a temporary light that serves a purpose for a little while but is soon gone.

There is a Light that never grows dim. However, there was a period of my life when I did not have that Light, even though I thought I did. I was raised in a Christian home, attended church all my life, married a minister, and we became missionaries in another country.

But one day my whole life was changed when I realized that I did not know how to pray. I was alone in the waiting room of a hospital in New Mexico. Fear enveloped me as I waited while my nine-year-old son, Scotty, had emergency surgery.

I picked up a booklet called Adventures in Prayer. The author, Catherine Marshall, described her experiences in prayer, which did not resemble anything I knew. She prayed as if she were actually talking to God as a real person. That relationship sounded too good to be true, but I longed to experience it.  I knew that all of my church attendance since childhood would not sustain me during those anxious moments.

So I began to pray, "Lord, are you listening? I have never known you. But I want to. Help me." I could not imagine what would happen. This was the most exciting prayer I had ever uttered.

Within the week, Light began to flood my soul. Not only was my son well again, but my life would never be the same. I was excited about each new day. I joined a prayer group in my church. Those joy-filled women had the Light of Jesus on their faces as we studied and prayed together. Years have passed, but I continue to walk the path of eternal life as I  trust and grow in my Christian faith.

Lord God almighty, I come into your holy presence because I have been given that honor by your son, Jesus, the Christ. As I celebrate His birthday during this glorious time of the year, continue to guide me to that Perfect Light that never ceases. Steer me away from any temporary lights that dazzle but offer nothing. If the manger was dark before He lay there, it will never be dark again. That is why I lovingly make a manger of my heart.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

Lucy Neeley Adams  has always loved music. She began telling the story of hymns on Christian radio WWGM in Nashville, TN, in the '80s. She then wrote a newspaper column titled "Song Stories" for five years. During that time Lucy's book, 52 Hymn Story Devotions, was published by Abingdon Press in Nashville. Each of the 52 stories contained in the book is written in a devotional format, with the words of the hymn concluding each devotion.
Lucy, dubbed "The hymn lady," can be heard on the first Thursday of each month when she discusses hymn stories during a telephone interview with Michelle Mendoza of "Living Christian".  The program is aired on station  KCIS in Seattle, WA.
Lucy lives at Lake Junaluska, NC, with her minister husband, Woody. They have four children and fourteen grandchildren. She may be reached for comment at lucya424@aol.com. Visit her at 52hymns.com