A TIME TO REMEMBER

 

It was an unforgettable morning

After the winter sun reluctantly rose

And the new dawn broke gently

To light the frosted landscape

And heralding the holy morn

Bathing cosy homes with light

Awaking children from their repose

As grown-ups wipe sleep away

Or tiredly yield to a yawn

And so the day has begun

Joyful yells and screams ensue

As gifts are opened frantically

Wrappings scattered here and there

It was an unforgettable morning

Though soon enough it became forgot

And as the day progresses

The latest must haves cast aside

Attention turns to the Christmas feast

When eyes are bigger than bellies

And indigestion comes on all

How different to the first morn

When in a strange and distant land

Lit by a star of brightest hue

And sheltered in a humble stable

God lay in human baby form

Watched over by lowly beasts

And shepherds stood in reverent pose

Three travellers from the east

Offered gifts to God made man

So as you enjoy your seasonal repast

Take time and spare a thought

Raise your hearts and a grateful glass

And remember the saviour’s birth

A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS

 

Now once more

The year has turned

The advent candle

Long since burned

Hearts darken

As we count the cost

And the season’s spirit

Is all now lost

But it need not

All be dark and gloom

Light can again

Illuminate the room

So here is a philosophy

For all of us

God is for life

Not just for Christmas

A SAINT IS FOR LIFE NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS

 

Often the true meaning of Christmas passes us by

The night the holy star appeared bright in the sky

Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ the savior

But others are also remembered at this time of year

St Lucia’s day is on the thirteenth day of December

In fourth century Sicily Lucia was a virgin martyr

Lucia means “light” very apt for a Christmas saint

She is also called upon to cure any eye complaint

St Thomas’s day is on the twenty first of December

The shortest and darkest day in our modern calendar

Traditionally the poor would all go out “thomasing”

For wheat flour and other Christmas “goodening”

Not the first saint you’d associate with Christmas

He is perhaps better known as “doubting Thomas”

Because he at first questioned Christ’s resurrection

He is patron saint of the carpenter and stone mason

On the twenty-six of the month St Stephens day falls

Boxing Day or the feast of Stephen in hallowed halls

Chosen by the disciples to help spread Christianity

He was put to death by the zealots for his profanity

The most famous Christmas time saint of all must be

St Nicholas the Bishop of Myra now a part of Turkey

He was a very shy man and the kindest man to know

When he threw coins through a poor family’s window

They landed in a stocking hanging over the fire to dry

So that’s where it all began if you ever wondered why

REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE SIXTH OF DECEMBER

 

Remember, remember the sixth of December

And put your red boots out

Because that is the very special day

When St Nicholas is about

OH JESUS SON OF MARY

 

Its time to celebrate

Our saviour’s birth

Its time to mark

The day he came to earth

 

Its Christmas again

Its time to rejoice

Its time to sing

And to our praise give voice

 

So praise the Prince of peace

Our majesty of mercy

Hallelujah Son of God

Oh Jesus Son of Mary

THE HOLY INFANT

 

In the presence of the lowly beasts

The prince of peace was born

And to his earthy joyous cries

They bowed low head and horn

The Shepherds stood in wonder

As the child they stood before

The child the angel told of

Lay before them in the straw

Countless miles the Magi came

Having traveled from the east

In lavish robes they knelt before him

And bowed lowly like the beasts

Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh

Were lain reverently before his stall

Precious gifts brought from afar

For the holy infant born for us all

HIS GIFT

 

For the lowly beast in the stable chill

And the humble shepherd on the hill

Wise and wealthy Magi from the east

The purpose of every Christmas feast

Is to rejoice and feel your spirits lift

Exchanging love when exchanging gift

For when Jesus lay in that stable stall

He gave us his love, the greatest gift of all