COLORADO CHRISTMAS

A snowy day
White with swirling flakes
landing on branches and rocks
prisms of colors reflecting
like diamond dust on a
Christmas card

Pristine white snow
falling silently in the mountains
never turning dark
from the city grime
shining shining shining
blinding my eyes

Heavy snow weighing down
branches of strong tall trees
forcing them to bend down
it's strange to see them
bow so low as they
greet me

Rabbit tracks
deer tracks
all I can see in the
deep wet snow
which keeps me inside
near the warmth of a fire

I can see in my mind's eye
the face of Old Man Winter
his cheeks puffed out
blue and white swirls
as he blows the trees and
the snow swirling madly about
stars twinkling around his head

Excitement for me is waiting
for that first winter snow
watching the trees dance
the snow pile high
and the dogs run and
race in frantic excitement
gobbling up the snow
in doggie glee

The first snowfall
romance and beauty and
nice warm socks and
a snowflake melting on my brow
as they twirl their way inside the door
when the dogs come in
with snow stuck on their feet
and noses

I stand at my window
thinking how I looked forward
to the first snow of the season
at nightfall the quiet hushed sounds
keep me company as I drink my hot cocoa
and my dogs lie in the warmth
of the room.

Once I watched tiny dark little voles
making tunnels in the snow
and running to and fro inside
carrying birdseed to their nests.

The sky is clear at night
with sparkling stars
the ground is covered in a blanket of sparkling glitter
the strong wise trees stand silently
the first snow in Colorado
it is
beautiful and peaceful
and welcomed by the mountains.




Christmas Bells
by Henry Wadworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till, ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The Carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said;
‘For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!’

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
‘God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!’

The Oxen
by Thomas Hardy

Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock.
"Now they are all on their knees,"
An elder said as we sat in a flock
By the embers in hearthside ease.

We pictured the meek mild creatures where
They dwelt in their strawy pen,
Nor did it occur to one of us there
To doubt they were kneeling then.

So fair a fancy few would weave
In these years! Yet, I feel,
If someone said on Christmas Eve,
"Come; see the oxen kneel,

"In the lonely barton by yonder coomb
Our childhood used to know,"
I should go with him in the gloom,
Hoping it might be so’

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
‘God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!

Baby's First Christmas
by Alice E. Chase

You have to hold him up to see
The angel on the Christmas tree.
And even though he's still too small
To know the meaning of it all
You watch his eyes reflect the glow
Of colored lights that come and go
And feel him quiver with delight
At every new and wondrous sight.
There's Santa with his jolly face
Beaming from the fireplace.
And from the stocking hanging there
Peeks a cuddly teddy bear.
Bright ornaments and candy canes --
Musical toy and wooden trains --
There's just no end to the delights
Spread out for him this night of nights!
He points and grins from ear to ear
And then he yawns - his bedtime's near!
Dad gives him a kiss and you tuck him away
To rest up for the fun of his first Christmas Day!




I Saw Three Ships
 

  I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas day in the morning.
And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day?
And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas day in the morning?
Our Saviour Christ and his lady,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
Our Saviour Christ and his lady,
On Christmas day in the morning.
Pray whither sailed those ships all three,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day?
Pray whither sailed those ships all three,
On Christmas day in the morning?
O they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
O they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas day in the morning.
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas day in the morning.

And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,
On Christmas day in the morning.

And all the Souls on Earth shall sing,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
And all the Souls on Earth shall sing,
On Christmas day in the morning.

Then let us all rejoice amain,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
Then let us all rejoice amain,
On Christmas day in the morning.




A Christmas Poem
  Lylyanna Pilewski

  Silent night
Holy night
Snowfall on this Christmas sight
Love all around
As we sing our Christmas cheer
Sit around the tree
Hands held high
As the wind whispers a gentle Christmas sigh
Gentle twinkling scattered about it’s branches
Snow gently falls
We life our faces to the sky
Faces shine in a rosy glow
Around and around we go
Spinning twirling swirling in the snow
The world is at peace tonight
As love glows in a romantic’s eye
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
Forget all the world
Be at peace tonight
Let the warmth of the time fill you
Snow fall covers all
Have a happy Christmas all





Not Only Christmas Day
by Mary Fairchild

Lord, this is my prayer
Not only on Christmas Day
But until I see You face to face
May I live my life this way:

Just like the baby Jesus
I ever hope to be,
Resting in Your loving arms
Trusting in Your sovereignty.

And like the growing Christ child
In wisdom daily learning,
May I ever seek to know You
With my mind and spirit yearning.

Like the Son so faithful
Let me follow in Your light,
Meek and bold, humble and strong
Not afraid to face the night.

Nor cowardly to suffer
And stand for truth alone,
Knowing that Your kingdom
Awaits my going home.

Not afraid to sacrifice
Though great may be the cost,
Mindful how You rescued me
From broken-hearted loss.

Like my risen Savior
The babe, the child, the Son,
May my life forever speak
Of who You are and all You've done.

So while this world rejoices
And celebrates Your birth,
I treasure You, the greatest gift
Unequaled in Your worth.

I long to hear the same words
That welcomed home Your Son,
"Come, good and faithful servant,"
Your Master says, "Well done."

And may heaven welcome others
Who will join with me in praise
Because I lived for Jesus Christ
Not only Christmas Day