Gregory Richard Barden Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

Christmas, Not Just For Christmas

Christmas ...
A time of peace and goodwill to all
When folks smile a bit more
Hug a tad longer and deeper
Go out of their way a bit further for charity

And listen more intently to the needs of others.
Isn't it a shame
That we save it all for one day?
Gifts, food, drink, music, wishes, love, kindness, joy ...
Bundled and packaged with pretty bows

Carried with extra care and given with cheer
For one day ... one day only.
Oh, it's a lovely holiday
And one I adore ...
It holds a great deal of magic for me to this day

And I cherish it above all other holidays
Still, I can't help but think
Why do we set it aside for a single day only?
Was that precious birth not for the sake of humanity for all time to come?
Was it not but an example of how we should treat each other ALWAYS ...

Not just for a day, but for every moment?
I treasure Christmas, more than most, and I always will
But I believe that we have sold it short
And that it will never be what it SHOULD be
(And what God intended it to be)

Until we exercise all its blessings and gifts continually
Until we treat each other and our days
With the same precepts and considerations that we do on Christmas
With the same magic and joy and thoughtfulness
THEN we will have given the holiday its due

THEN we will have honored the memory of that priceless gift long ago
In the way it was truly intended
With love, unconditional
For ALL time
And for ALL humanity.

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Andrea Dietrich December 10, 2017 at 8:13 PM I agree very much with your message here, Gregory. But I think the price tag would not sustain it every day! Of course, I am making light. Why can't people just be NICE and humane ALL year long? It's a mystery to me. You did very well with this poem. Is it for a contest? Gregory Richard Barden December 10, 2017 at 11:15 PM Thank you so much, Andrea, I'm very pleased you liked this one ... I am very much "searching" right now when it comes to faith and religion, I was raised a strong Christian and lived most of my life that way, (and much of my music is CCM), but a couple of years ago things happened that have rattled all those beliefs, and I'm still struggling. Blessings, my friend! :-) <3

Andrea Dietrich December 10, 2017 at 8:11 PM First I want to say thanks for all your lovely comments and congrats on contest wins. I am in the middle of trying to get out Xmas cards, etc. CAn't even keep up here, but I hope to read a lot more of your poetry when I have my break next week. Let me see THIS one at least !! Gregory Richard Barden December 10, 2017 at 11:13 PM You're very welcome, my friend ... I'm still WAY behind myself, here, and trying to catch up! :-)

Isor Chand December 10, 2017 at 10:07 AM If Christ is in our heart , we will have Christmas every morning , every moment , for every day our heart celebrate HIS birth like Christmas... Yes , I'm lucky enough to find a person of my thought... Bravo Barden...! Gregory Richard Barden December 10, 2017 at 11:11 PM Thank you very kindly, Isor, I so appreciate it - and you paraphrased it quite well! Blessings, my friend! :-)

Kim Rodrigues December 9, 2017 at 1:42 PM And yet I disagree for Christmas is a season, not just one day, though that day is the high point. And then again Christmas should be celebrated every day in our hearts and acts of kindness! Enjoyed, my dear friend! Gregory Richard Barden December 9, 2017 at 6:03 PM Indeed! (Perhaps I should have said "culminates" on one day). it comes and goes so quickly! If it were up to me I'd keep my tree up year-round ... it is so beautiful, and it reminds me each day what it represents, so when I leave the house it's the last thing I see, and I try to lock that spirit in my heart while I'm "out-and-about" ... Gregory Richard Barden December 9, 2017 at 6:03 PM ... and between that and my kitties, what a wonderful greeting to come home to! Blessings and thanks, Dear Friend! :-) <3

Arturo Michael December 9, 2017 at 7:27 AM Lovely poem...Christmas is forever...All the best Gregory Gregory Richard Barden December 9, 2017 at 5:59 PM Amen - well-said, my friend ... blessings and thanks to you! :-)

John Gondolf December 9, 2017 at 5:34 AM Gregory, your message is so true and very well stated. Thank you for sharing it. John Gregory Richard Barden December 9, 2017 at 5:59 PM My pleasure, John, and thank you very much for the kind words! :-)

Jan Allison December 9, 2017 at 5:25 AM A great message Gregory :-) hugs Jan xx Gregory Richard Barden December 9, 2017 at 5:58 PM Thank you very kindly, Jan - much appreciated! :-) <3

Judith S December 9, 2017 at 5:17 AM A wonderful message Greg! Thank you! Gregory Richard Barden December 9, 2017 at 5:58 PM Thank you so much, Judy! :-)