Christmas Eve Greeting 2023

'twas the night before Christmas,

long past midnight's chime,

when I finally finished,

and had quiet time...

this poem to start,

a tradition, you see,

an offering of words,

to read under the tree.

Both boys tucked in bed,

fast asleep when I checked,

not a whimper or stir,

as each cheek I pecked.

So to work then I went,

the enchantment to make,

as all mothers do,

for miracles' sake.

The last gifts to wrap,

breakfast to prepare,

the magic of Christmas,

in this mother's care.

Then stockings were filled,

and the presents laid out.

and glitter, like snowprints,

was strewn all about.

The house locked up tight,

the lights all turned low,

as I sat down to write,

by candlelight's glow.

I thought in that moment,

of this year, now gone past,

of all of its trials,

from first to the last.

Of those friends we'd found,

of all that we'd lost,

of choices, and chances,

and of bitter cost.

I thought of it all,

and sighed a great sigh,

when to my surprise,

a light caught my eye.

One candle I'd missed,

from behind the great tree,

was throwing its light,

far as I could see.

In the window reflected,

its little flame burned,

and I startled to find,

a new lesson I'd learned...

for in darkness it shone,

and cast out its light,

in countless reflections,

reached out in the night...

one single warm flame,

one flickering spark,

was all that it took,

to light up the dark.

So I sat here and thought,

on this Christmas Eve night,

of the many of you,

who have this year shared light...

of the family and friends,

of those far and those near,

each of you, so precious,

each of you, so dear.

I looked at our tree,

by just one candle lit.

and I thought to myself,

"Surely, yes, this is it."

"These children.  This life.

This light that can shine.

Your presence, a present,

in this heart of mind."

It's been quite a year,

and you've helped us get through.

We're ever so grateful,

for each one of you.

So thank you, dear friends,

for the love and the light.

Merry Christmas to you,

and to all a Good Night!