Christmas Eve

Guest Writer: Angela Hibbard

The lights are twinkling all around

Little children blinking as they're bedded down

When all is quiet the corner stirs

A glassy eye turns and observers 

All all the little penguins prepare for the morning.

Almost Christmas

Eating sweets
Probably too many
But who cares right now.

Shooing the cat
Away from the tree.
She eats it and makes messes.

Joking about secrets
Especially with those
Who hate surprises.

Making food
More food than I'll eat
But someone else will.

I think it's almost Christmas


Singing carols
Maybe off key
But who cares right now

Bringing friends
In to our home
A joyous time together.

The name of Jesus
On every lip
In every store and song and life.

Eyes glowing in the
Advent light
So pure and beautiful and bright.

It must be almost Christmas.

Colors of Christmas

Red

Streams everywhere

Decorating trees and lights and lampposts

The color of flowers and hats

The color of blood

Shed for us

The color of love.

Green

Evergreen branch

Makes trees and garland and centerpieces

The color of leaves and twigs

The color of life

Given to us

The color of eternity.

Gold

Ribbons twirl

Shines in every light and star and dangle

The color of laughter and jewelry

The color of perfection

Brought to us

The color of a King.

Blue

Icicles drip

Paints skies and trees and fingertips

The color of dresses and ice

The color of angels

Call goodwill

The color of peace.

White

Snow sparkles

Powders houses and yards and nativities

The color of clean and bright

The color of light

Shines out

The color of joy.

Silent Night?

"Silent night,"
You murmur as harried shoppers
Bustle past you
Worrying about presents.
"Is it really?"
You stroke the beautiful
Fragile gifts.
Fragile gifts to heal fragile relationships.

You pass through churches
Filled with the same stress as
Harried shoppers.
"Holy night?"
What's so holy
About the strain and stress.

There's no snow tonight
And it does nothing to heal your
Confused soul.
But the biting winds fight your path.
A little child tugs on your sleeve.
Her mother frets
Her father worries
But her wide eyes are filled with wonder.
"Merry Christmas!"
Her little voice chirrups.

You kneel before her,
The wind no longer cold.
"Merry Christmas. It's a joyful
New Year, is it not?"
She smiles, suddenly shy,
But it's enough.
You brush the boughs of a
Christmas tree
And the radio plays songs
Of Christ's coming.
"Stille Nacht."
You murmur.
"It is really."

On this glorious Christmas Eve
Surrounded by the candlelight
And the peaceful faces
In the beauty of the little church,
You breathe deeply.
"Heilige Nacht."
Such a holy night.