Christmas Joy

It comes near to us again,
our cherished blessed day,
when paupers pray for a King.

I feather through many Christmas
cards of years passed,
touched by the wintry scenes--
of sleigh bells, ice skaters,
carollers,
Wise Men, The Holy Family in a
Nativity Scene,
the calico cat at the fireside,
baby's first photographic
Christmas.
So many friends and loved ones will
offer again
a chance to send along a special
message of cheer.

I remember too, that
Christmas Eve means family lives.
The lives I know best, chosen ones--
snowowls in a fresh snowfall
alive with rare beauty.

Jesus made his mark
for peace with a day when Our
Cup Runneth Over.

The season will hold magis, gifts,
and lessons.
Poinsettas at the churches,
coloured lights decking the porches,
prayers across miles
find themselves to warm smiles.

Pretty packages floating
gayly through the town
fashion the day with Christmas surprises.
It is the evening when my glass
of eggnog calms me, as Christ reveals
what the whole earth does--Christmas
joy everywhere.

Christmas Day/ Winner Of Molly Welsh's Weekly Poetry Contest '02