The Gift of Christmas

The Gift of Christmas Some people say Christmas in this present time Wanders lost Through flashing ads and tinsel carelessly strung On an artificial bough. Some people say the Spirit of Christmas Lives no more - The simple Christ Child’s birth Coldly mocked by glittering commercials For diamond rings and robot toys. Some say our plastic credit cards Bring shame to one, who, born so poor, Wore no fancy clothes Or even slept in a cradle of his own. Some say a Christian world forgets The simple song of angel praise and shepherd lambs In hustle crowds who only hum Atonal harmony in green cash jingles Some people say that Christ remains absent From our Christmas celebrations So lost we get in buying – So drunk we get with wine. Yet, I see his star rise up again In children’s faith, eyes aglow with awe, Reflecting wonder back into the darkest night The miracle of the Christmas story. I watch a callous world Retell Nativity Then remember little acts of kindness From a neighbor, or a friend, In homemade thank you cards Of cookies, cakes or ornaments. The Yuletide air overflows with scents of sugarplums - Pungent cloves, nutmeg sweet And aromatic cinnamon - A gift of time given to baking memories In sweet spice with children. Music fills the world again, To herald Carols dancing in our hearts, “Joy to the world!” the lyrics say, “Joy to the world! The Lord has come!” Each year I watch the world Stretch out a loving hand of help To strangers shivering in the cold, To those who live alone - To ones with rags for clothes And families who face each day Empty cupboard shelves – Whose children would be strangers To the joy of Christmas morn If not for hearts and hands Of women and of men Who bring the Magi’s gifts to poverty again. I see this cynical world So closely guard the spirit of this time A world of Santa Claus’ asks no gratitude For countless days of aching feet Crowded streets And traffic jams. Their love returns a hundredfold, Through smiles and gasps of childlike glee, To nestle beneath boughs of evergreen When the dawning light opens up the givers joy Spreading across a silent world A message sprung from hope’s own heart Born with a baby boy. 12-2-22 Contest: Christmas Spirit Poetry Sponsor: Regina McIntosh