COLOR OUR CHRISTMAS MERRY AND BRIGHT - December 25, 2011

This is the time of year
When thoughts turn
To Christmas cheer
Bells ring, songs are sung
Tinsel on fragrant trees is hung.

Town squares are brightly lit
Manager scenes before churches sit
"The children were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads."
Traditional poems and stories of Christmas retold.

Hot chocolate, hot toddies, cold winter nights
Snow covers the hills and dales in cold frosty white.
Families gather, fires in fireplaces burn warm and bright
Gifts under the tree, colorful twinkling lights
Childhood stockings on the mantle are hung
In hopes that dear Santa soon will come.

Christmas morning in our baby's first

Like another baby when he first arrived on earth
Long, long ago in a far distant land
This is His birthday, let's not forget
If not for Him, no gifts would we give.
So stop for a moment and give thanks
For Him, earth's most precious gift.

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."


Children rush down the stairs
Laughter and excitement fills the air
For a moment they stop as the sight is taken in
Shiny paper, bright bows. Packages lie
Under branches bright with Christmas tree lights.

Gifts are distributed by the designated elf
Paper goes flying. Oohs and Ahhs ring out
As newly received presents are held up
Hugs around necks and kisses on cheeks are placed
As the neatly kept living room is laid to waste.

The tree is quickly devoid of its splendor
Gone are the ribbons trappings, and bows
Eager, hungry eyes still desiring more
To the decorated mantle their attention goes
Where to their delight the stockings are stuffed full
Candy canes peek over the top, tangerines fill the toe.

Toward the dangling treasures they quickly rush
When suddenly together they all stop.
Like a wounded soldier one stocking
Hangs empty amongst the rest.
Silence fils the room as in reverence they stand
Each reaches out and takes another's hand
Tears slide down each and every cheek.

Tears for the loved one that use to be here
The father, the brother, the uncle, and son
Who we never guessed wouldn't always be near
To fill our lives with his love and warm cheer
To tell stories that made us laugh till we cried.
Never, ever would we guess that he would die.

From the silence a sweet voice is heard
"Uncle Christian, I love you and I miss you."
We repeat "dearest Christian, we love and miss you too."
Laughter rings out as the children gleefully rush in
And with great zeal their stockings they plunder.
As we sit happily watching with childlike grins.

The presents are all opened. It's time to clean up.
Gathering up paper I suddenly feel a cool breeze on my cheek
And do you see it? Over there a white feather gently floating down
Signs from above! Our hearts are filled with love, our faces glow
The stocking may hang empty, his absence strongly felt
But deep in our hearts each and everyone of us know
He is here with us and his love and caring he continues to show.

I feel something brush my face like the gentle mist of Spring rain
My hand goes to my cheek as I gently press into my soul his kiss
This Christmas day I will leave behind the hurt and the pain
And with arms held high I will give thanks in His Holy Name
For the blessings of family and for God's greatest gift -
The promise of Life Everlasting.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.


To my wonderful, amazing family and friends and to everyone everywhere I hope you had the merriest of Christmases and I wish you the richest of blessings in the New Year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS MY DEAREST CHRISTIAN. I miss you every moment of every day. Thank you for sending us reminders that life is eternal. I love you, love you, love you! Momma