It’s the week before Christmas and all in the town,
Are hurrying and scurrying and running around.
Lots of hustle and bustle and places to be,
With brightly wrapped packages heaped under each tree.
The lights on the houses are marvels and wonders
And shop windows glitter with even more splendors.
School programs, work parties, and neighborhood gatherings
Complete with sweet tastes and holiday feastings.
After parties galore, I thought to myself,
“I’ve got to stop scurrying around like an elf.“
My magical memories of Christmas delight
Were losing their sparkle and turning so trite.
How did Mom do it?
Make Christmas so fun?
I’m so terribly tired
And just want to run.
As evening drew near, I plopped down with a thump
And wondered how best to get over this hump,
This over-commitment, this strange, crazy pace.
For all of our sakes —
Bobby, Sarah, and Grace —
I had to find that elusive space.
My eyes wandered over the decorations so dear
And spotted a crèche in a corner right near.
The candles created a soft, pleasing glow
O’er the camels and donkeys and sheep all bowed low.
I gazed at those symbols in quiet repose
While I sat in the shadows, my thoughts to compose.
She whispered her story then, mother’s heart to mother’s heart.
“There is more to this season; please take this to heart,
Let Jesus bring reason and peace to your soul
And by His redemption, you’ll be made fully whole.”
Softly the stars lit the darkening sky
The wind quietly singing a sweet lullaby.
I turned off the lights and watched candles flicker
Sensing my soul recharge even quicker.
For now, in the quiet, my heart soon did hear
His special sweet song wafting ever so near.
“My child just remember, I’m always close by
The Child in the manger now Savior on High.”
My children are nestled asleep in their beds
Who knows how they dream of presents ahead.
The magic returns with breathtaking speed
Refreshing and easing my mother’s heart need.
I can create space for sweet memories, delight.
There’s still time to wonder at that first Christmas night.
I sit at His feet,
And hear nothing but grace
There’s Wonderful Peace
Flooding over my space.
It’s now time to celebrate
Christmas Day, I can’t wait
Enjoying family and friends and presents so great.
But mainly we’ll celebrate when all’s said and done
This Babe in the Manger,
The Only True One.
(c) 2016 Kirsten Samuel
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