Best Christmas Eve Poems
CHRISTMAS EVE
He lay abed
That most tranquil of nights
Aghast at moon and stars
Dad had painted for his delight
In one charmed corner
A spider was swinging
From his thready design
Outside strolling carolers singing
Then he rubbed his eyes
In wonder and awe
Blinked the pair twice
To clear what he saw
For a mist had developed
About his dark room
And from it bright light
From out of the gloom
Winged angels from glory
Appeared neath a star
And came flock-tending shepherds
From countries afar
3 kings richly dressed
Rode up on their camels
To a manger scene
With various animals
And the star
Shown down on a bed of hay
Where Mary and her new born
Babe did lay
The lad sat up in bed
Struck warm to the core
With a wondrous blessing
He’d not sensed before
He dropped to his knees
Thanking heaven above –
Toys Santa forgot -
Prayed world peace divine love
Dave Austin
My darling, my dearest, my loving man –
it is a perfect fire you have going,
the atmosphere is Christmas-cheer glowing.
I delight in you, me and our cider brew
in this, our own romantic freedom sphere.
Your presence, talk and kisses are my heaven.
I love you calling me sweetheart, always have –
I wish your voice were something I could grab,
plus, your embrace, that neither would diminish.
It could be my blessing, come wrapped as present.
Yes, you’re right, sure, we’ll always be together …
sipping cider, sharing life’s joys and rifts.
Our love has lent richness to five Christmas’ times
and still your presence brings me joy undefined.
More cider? … Bit sleepy? – I’ll tuck this pillow.
Drink … there, that’s it … so, I’ve had you shadowed,
that is, you and the she you never tried to quit.
Scared? … It's just my loving gift of arsenic.
There is happy ado on the old farmstead as Yuletide draws nigh!
Wondrous things to savor as gales blow and snow begins to fly!
The tempest rages for days - they will surely be snowbound,
But a blazing fire warms the Victorian home - love and cheer abound!
Since early in July Pa has had his eye on a special evergreen tree.
It now graces the parlor and they dance about it with glee!
Brightly lit candles adorn branches of the perfectly shape fir.
'Neath lies The Babe - The Magi offering frankincense, gold and myrrh.
The boys have hefted armloads of wood from the oak tree grove,
For Ma and the girls to cook delectable fare on the wood-burning stove.
Titillating aromas waft from room to room in the gracious old house,
From the roasting goose, venison and tender prairie grouse!
Rusty the dog and Simba the cat lie snuggling nigh the fire.
The family gathers 'round the old pump organ for an impromptu choir.
Bellowng off-key, Pa leads them in carols, all ln spirited mirth,
And later by the hearth, Pa reads the story of the Savior's birth.
The ancient grandfather clock tolls ten- the kids are shooed to bed.
Ma and Pa place presents 'neath the tree in old Santa's stead.
With a twinkle in his eyes, Pa steals a kiss 'neath the mistletoe!
The excited kids scarcely snooze listening for Santa's Ho! Ho! Ho!
NOT FOR THE CONTEST
A sacred song of long ago
is sung with reverence, high and low
Sweet harmonies that the angels hear
is the music of a Midnight Clear
A velvet night while stars appear
Old carols sung on captured ear
Around a piano, where candles glow
Outside the air, with breath of snow
A fireside, where flames enchant
Old memories, from lips recant
'Neath mistletoe, two lovers kiss
A soul renewed, a spirit lifts
Some lift their glass to make a toast
While others sing of Heavenly Host
Beneath a tree, the children guess
Then off to bed, with kisses blessed
In harmony that the angels hear
Sweet music about a Midnight Clear
LUNCH BOX
The sandwich was probably only two days old
School had let out for Christmas vacation on the 23rd
And now on Christmas Eve Sam had found it -
lunchbox and all - in an alley behind Clarke’s Super
The kid had taken a couple of bites of the apple – now
gone brown- but left the roast beef sandwich whole
“Too damn much mayo!” Sam frowned
“But boy am I hungry!”
Licorice the cat – so named by the neighborhood kids –
was hungry too and let Sam know it with his most
plaintiff cry
Sam was street-wise an old cardboard box dweller who
had tenanted many boxes many alleys in his time
Yet this was no “Hello puss whose puss are you?”
animal summons for attention
The yowl had a bone-rattle desperation Sam hadn’t heard
before
Licorice blended with the night
But stood out even against the gloom
She was pressed against an empty oil barrel back arched
on the tips of her paws so almost skeletal
Sam couldn’t help but sigh
It was Christmas Eve and despite the location – a forlorn
back alley – a string of lights (from somewhere) were
blinking
On
Off
On
Off
On
Off
On
The red-green-gold shown against Licorice’s satin fur
Charmed the (already charmed) night
Charmed Sam the Box Man
“Well I’ll be damned!” he gulped
Then threw half the sandwich to the starving kitty
“Merry Christmas old beggar.” Sam smiled
Attempting to await St. Nick, small Ted
lay trembling with excitement in his bed,
one Christmas Eve while all his siblings slept
(their promise to stay up with him unkept).
Like smoke that rose above his house that night
and drifted to the moon, his thoughts took flight.
He wondered (and he couldn't comprehend)
how dear old Santa ever could descend
the chimney to his house when at its base
were sparks that sputtered in the fireplace.
So as he pondered what St. Nick might do,
he left his room just as the clock struck two.
He tiptoed to the stairs where he could see
a figure on the rug nearby the tree. . .
Midst wrapping paper, boxes and a tangle
of ribbons knelt his mother. At an angle,
the firelight warmly touched her face. Her hair
showed flecks of sugar. Ted stooped on a stair
transfixed. . . The sugar looked like angel's dust!
And then he understood how long she must
have worked because the scent of cooking pies
was proof of it. Ted suddenly felt wise. . .
He realized how sweet pies could appear
like magic every Christmas. All was clear!
A single mom, this angel in his sight
began to hum the tune to "Silent Night."
Unseen, Ted lingered on the stair, content
in knowing his St. Nick was heaven sent.
(not sure if this is the "epic" you had in mind, Leonora.
but this is my submission for your contest! Merry Christmas)
The North Pole looks so pretty like a winter fairy land
It is Christmas Eve and everyone must lend a hand
Frosty the snowman is busy having such fun
He's teasing the elves and making them run
He says ….
‘Go get some trimming and wrap all those gifts …
don’t overload the sled or it’ll get stuck in snow drifts’
The elves work so hard as Christmas is on its way
They need all the toys ready for that very special day
Sled bells get attached, oh how those jingle bells ring
The elves are getting so exited they begin to sing….
“When Santa got stuck in a snow drift he began to shout...
He’d better take a spade with him to dig the presents out”
Santa Claus stood there laughing in his coat of ruby red
He asks the elves to get ready to help him load his sled
Huge sacks of presents are piled high on the bright red sled
The reindeer's had been resting; Santa roused them from their bed
With a hearty ho ho ho Santa and the reindeer's take to the sky
He hopes all the children are tucked in bed - they shouldn’t see him fly!
On Christmas Day the children wake, their faces are aglow
They see the pile of presents and the sled tracks in the snow
Contest Ho Ho Ho
Required words....
Elves, Frosty the snowman, Christmas, jingle bells, toys, sled, sled bells, Santa Claus, trimming, Winter fairy land
11~28~16
Christmas Eve Mystery
The sun had set, and it was Christmas Eve.
Dear Santa finished up and packed the sleigh;
made sure his Reindeer were geared up to go
before they'd have some time outside to play.
Now it was time to go to North Pole Park,
for there they'd snack on greens below the snow,
and run and prance to loosen up their legs
for galloping through space 'neath moonlit glow.
There, Santa rested on his favored bench;
'tween nodding, saw them romping everywhere.
However, Rudolph proudly stood on guard
beside him watching with protective care.
But soon enough, except for one, they'd fled;
whichever way they looked, none to be found!
Rudolph and Santa surely seemed upset...
yelled out each name in hopes they'd come around.
Before long, darkness fell upon the park.
Did Santa's deer come back to join the team?
Yes...every precious gift arrived on time.
'Twas only Santa's 'forty winks' bad dream!
December 10, 2018
For the Contest, "The Park Bench At Christmas",
sponsored by Sara Kendrick, based on Picture #3
MERRY CHRISTMAS*
M-Miraculously
E-Ecstatic
R-Reveille
R-Regenerating
Y-Yuletide
C-Christ’s
H-Heavenly
R-Righteous
I-intervention
S-Stirring
T-Towards
M-Man’s
A-Assured
S-Salvation
© Demetrios Trifiatis
20 DECEMBER 2013
*Merry Christmas to you and to your families my friends!
May the newborn Christ guide and protect all of you!
A CHILD’S CHRISTMAS EVE
A child’s in thought by a cozy fire
His dog stretched out at hearthside
Big sister and a friend fun-gone
On a frosty snowy sleigh ride
His kitty Miss Boots
Done chasing a mouse
Asleep on the sill
Not a sound in the house
Then in fancy enchanted child hears
Pitter pats on the roof
A jolly fat laugh
Many reindeer hooves
The blaze in the fireplace
Pops a big log
Startles the child
And up jumps his dog
Blasé kitty Boots
Starts licking her paws
Could really care less
About Santa Claus
Well the red clad saint
From a mist slow appears
Till now stands full grown
A stroking his beard
This elf’s not imposing
No no not at all
Here stands a man not 3 feet tall
Though perfectly formed unbelievably small
Child and dog stand transfixed
Eyes open wide in complete surprise
Doubting the form is really St. Nick
Greatly puzzled because of his size
At last child in haze
In a wishing fond pause
Does stammer a question
Two words “Santa Claus?”
The vision though smiling seems not to hear
But merrily ho-hoing reaches back
And in a shower of gold
He conjures a sack
The brown bag is loaded
With all sorts of toys
Colorfully wrapped and neatly bowed
Dainties for girls sport for the boys
The gifts then fly out and under the tree
This all in a wink quit magically
Then boy and dog in amazement see
Old Santa rise up the fiery chimney
The blaze in the fireplace
Again pops the log
Again startles all three
Child kitty and dog
Christmas morn child early awakes
How tangible yestereve’s happening seemed
All colored in Christmas’ red gold and green
Was Santa Claus real or part of a dream?
Dave Austin
Santa’s sleighing high,
Among the starlit sky,
Mounds and mounds of toys,
For all the girls and boys.
Rudolph leads the trip,
Knows every curve and dip,
Rudolph knows his way so well,
Santa can relax, how swell!
Ho, ho ho he shouts,
Have never any doubts,
For every child, the elves
Have packed, lovely lovely toys,
For all the girls and boys.
No child will wake up sad,
For none have been so bad,
Promised they've been good,
Mom and dad agreed,
So all the children will be glad.
Rudolph dives down fast,
This night has magic sprinkles,
Forever this will last.
Down every chimney Santa goes
One of his tricky feats,
Looks forward to his treats,
And brandy in case he’s cold,
Homemade biscuits and tea,
His face shines up with glee,
He’s thankful to each family,
Ho ho he shouts out happily.
He’s tired but content,
Nearly woke up Benny Trent.
All the toys have been delivered,
Must get home before the blizzard.
Rudolph, North Pole please,
I’m cold, i have a wheeze,
Mrs Claus is baking,
Santa’s toddy in the making,
She made a stew so yummy,
Santa rubs his tubby tummy.
Thank you, Santa Clause,
You deserve only applause.
For eons around this globe
You’ve been,
Yet never ever seen,
Delivering so many toys,
To all the girls and boys.
elivering so many toys,Tr all the girls and boys.
I remember Christmas Eve in Nineteen Eighty Four
The ground was snowy white
When someone knocked upon my door
I opened it to reveal such a sorry sight
Poor Santa stood there in his coat of red
Tears were forming in his blue eyes
For Rudolph was ill and had gone home to bed
Santa asked could I help guide him through the skies?
Santa didn’t want to let the children down
For Christmas is such a special day
They should have smiles and not a frown
So I said ‘Yes Santa, I’ll help to pull the sleigh’
I quickly pulled on my reindeer costume
Then climbed aboard the sleigh
Headed off guided by the light of the moon
To deliver presents for Christmas Day
All around the world we flew
Delivering gifts to good girls and boys
My sense of achievement grew and grew
As we left sack after sack of toys
Before the sun rose our job was done
I flew home so I could sleep in my bed
Knowing I had helped the children have fun
I’ll never forget the night I pulled Santa’s sled
Contest: Who is knocking at my door
Sponsor: Tammy Reams
Submitted to Christmas Contest #20 of 101 Contests in a row
Sponsored by PD Linda
12~17~15
You better believe it
When I say this because,
Here before you I sit ...
The one and only, Santa Claus
When I say this because
... I want you to believe,
The one and only, Santa Claus
Your eyes do not deceive
I want you to believe
Look at me, if you can,
Your eyes do not deceive
For I am no ordinary man
Look at me, if you can
Be you naughty or nice,
For I am no ordinary man
Speak, but think twice
Be you naughty or nice
The cat's got your tongue,
Speak, but think twice ...
You're quiet for one so young
The cat's got your tongue
With your eyes growing wide,
You're quiet for one so young
There is no need to hide
With your eyes growing wide
Lean close, whisper in my ear,
There is no need to hide ...
What do you want for Christmas, my dear
Lean close, whisper in my ear
Tell me ... a doll or a drum,
What do you want for Christmas, my dear
Roller skates or bubble gum ...
Tell me, a doll or a drum
I'll write it on my list ...
Roller skates or bubble gum
No child will be missed
I'll write it on my list ...
And get to work right away,
No child will be missed ...
On the night before Christmas Day
And get to work right away
For the time is ticking by ...
On the night before Christmas Day
When only the reindeer fly
For the time is ticking by
Counting on your childhood,
When only the reindeer fly
And, I existed, as best I could
Counting on your childhood
... Here before you I sit ...
And, I existed, as best I could
You better believe it ...
Sleigh bells jingle as o'er the crystal snow they glide,
To the little country church this Christmas Eventide.
Folks anticipate the fellowship that awaits them there,
As they celebrate His birth with carols, love and prayer!
Steeds were eased to hitching posts with a gentle "Whoa"!
Faithful and patient horses snort and paw the drifting snow.
Folks greet others with a special glow upon their faces,
With a "Merry Christmas to you" and unabashed embraces!
The old pastor had arrived about half-past five o'clock,
To stoke the potbellied stove to warm his faithful flock.
The organist who'd served nigh on fifty years in that capacity,
Was at her post pedaling the organ with strident tenancity!
The pastor with a short Christmas homily had his say,
Followed by the Sunday School's annual Nativity play.
A warming glow flooded the church with candlelight,
As the service closed with the singing of "Silent Night".
Though on this Holy Eve ,from cathedrals oratories occurred,
And ancient cantatas sung by thunderous choirs were heard,
The souls of this faithful, God-fearing congregation,
Were just as blessed by their simple Christmas celebration!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Christmas Eve Morning And Sweet Memories
mistletoe, a kiss
childhood, snowball fights I miss
memories of this
Robert J. Lindley, 12-24-2021
haiku