Honoring the Ways of Christmastime

Christmastime molds body and soul

With hints of joy, sharing, even sadness.

The mystique of age hides myriad tolls,

No pardon for countless scars of duress.

The years pile up and children grow up.

I watch others rise up to brave the load.

Character evolves to shoulder profit and loss.

Choices chart career, lifestyle, and goals,

Each moment unique, only to fade away,

Till Heaven’s door close on earthly reality.

 

I muse with faith, awe, and gladness.

Looking for ways to brighten the way.

Keen traditions help sustain family lore.

We should photograph all the bright faces

Encircling this year’s splendiferous tree,

Tagging names, dates, and places to let

Future circles share sense of identity,

Hung as yule ornaments forever to see.

 

We live day to day, but relive date to date,

Each life is only a page in the book of man.

The love in our hearts levels our burden,

Cushions the shoulders to bear our Cross.

Life’s bounty ebbs and flows in God’s plan.

Tragedy hones us all like forge from birth.

Blessings emerge from our desire to serve

When duty validates our crusade of worth.

Overflowing love eases poignancy of time.

As loving hearts reach out with joys sublime.

                  

Author's Note

As the years pile up, we gain perspective on the spirit of Christmas.

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

As Norma and I put our tree up and hung the ornaments ..she remarked on our junk tree theme ;) we have the ornaments that were made by our children..given by this one or that ..and the remembrances are a time capsule no doubt .. year to year .. and i like the faith that seems to center you poem .. faith and love and in the moment ... is meaning in and of itself .. the reaching out that attitude inspires ... like Christ's life .. selfless to death ... never wavering from the truth He says the Father spoke to Him ... thanks for sharing your poem, bigfoot! reading it has turned my thoughts and heart in a fine direction this morning ..peace and joy sir!
E.

[bigfootprint]

Very uplifting response, Einstein. It is rewarding to interact with folks like you who walk with us and share our faith

[John the Baptist]

A very nice look at the meaning of Christmas to us as the years change us. There are a number of very powerful lines, especially in the last stanza. Good work.

[bigfootprint]

Thank you John, Christmas has always been a time of reflection for me. I think reflection is good for the soul.