As has been my custom for the past two years, today I am filling the vacant space between Christmas and New Year’s with some of my own poetry, some of it serious and some more fun.
Father Christmas
In the middle of the night,
when we were still sleeping,
Father Christmas crept in
and left us a present in the barn,
a baby.
Seeing Through Glass Darkly
In the dead of winter,
When the rich and the prelates
gather in palaces and cathedrals
to discuss meeting the needs of the poor,
at night
Almighty God sends his agents
to paint stained-glass patterns
on the windows of their hovels.
Making Melodye, Mocking Melody
Most of our store-bought Christmas carols
come dangerously close
to breaking the third commandment.
Christmas Mourning
On Christmas morning,
after a moment or two of delight,
toddlers giggle and play
with boxes and ribbons,
while the carefully chosen presents
sit neglected on the floor.
On Christmas,
after brief moments of delight,
the children of God
delight themselves
with electronics and jewels,
while God’s carefully Chosen Present
is neglected, outside the door.
After Christmas
It’s the season
when the dust is mingled
with bits of tinsel and lost sparkles
(reminders of imparted
love, joy, and peace departed)
until it all is swept away
in the routine of weekly chores.
’Tis the Season
’Tis the season to be freezin’.
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-choo!
That’s the reason we’re all sneezin’.
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-choo!
See the workplace silent keeping.
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-choo!
All the workers are home sleeping.
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-choo!
Cold and flu and common virus,
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-choo!
They’re the reason our boss will fire us.
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-choo!
Hear the classroom filled with hacking,
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-choo!
Noses running, voices cracking.
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-choo!
Hear the many sick before us:
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-choo!
Join the cough and sneezing chorus:
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-choo!
Christians Read 