Christmas

Christmas

Christmas comes in packages thick and thin;
Carefully wrapped, engraved on a ring.
Christmas by the seaside listening to waves;
or spent by the fireside popping sweet corn.

Christmas with tinsel, bright lights and holly;
Children and bicycles, cookies and grins.
Christmas with empty seats at the table;
praying for loved ones, soldiers and friends.

Christmas day charged with high emotions;
love and good will mixed with poignant regret.
Christmas when it’s all that you can do;
to get through the day in your slippers and jams.

Christmas with memories of having less;
or Christmas’ past when things were simpler.
Christmas with secrets bound in bright paper;
sleep lost to play Santa to tow-headed tots.

Christmas when most of these things have gone by,
your greatest joy sharing the hope of others.
Christmas surrounded with voices of angels;
shouting hallelujahs for the birth of Christ.

No matter which Christmas has come your way;
honor the first and Christ’s celebrated birth.
Be comforted in spirit, in heart and in mind;
for the promise of Christmas is hope for us all.

Be thankful for blessings and count them twice;
pray for peace on earth and good will to men.
Christ brought us the gifts that fill our needs;
Forgiveness, love and eternal life.

Paula J. Roberts
copyright December 2005