"Goodie, Goodie!" cried the children when we told them "two more weeks".
They'd been faithful doing homework, did their chores with fewer squeaks.
"Will he really bring us candy?" "Can it really be so near?"
Christmas barely seemed within our grasp — and then was gone — last year.
After Christmas fascinations simmered down and died away,
Once the New Year's resolutions turned to ashes wispy grey
Broken gifts and bits of bulbs lay there crushed beneath the couch
— Hugging trimmings from the pine-tree — triggered morning's barefoot "ouch!"
"What remained? What is different now that Christmas came and went?"
— I stood staring through a snowstorm while I pondered what we'd spent —
"Preparations, celebrations, must it always come and go?"
Then the springtime came upon us, sprouting flowers, melting snow.
§§§
Little children weren't gleeful, dismal parents packed with speed:
This concerned the mighty rulers; a journey forced for greed.
Then in Bethlehem in a cave within the hills
A crying Jewish infant came to life with zero frills.
Past the stable's destitution, his parents homeward bound
Carried just a helpless baby — not a scepter, not a crown.
Sure, they'd met some rugged shepherds, and a star above did shine,
But the world was oblivious that this peasant was divine.
What remained? What was different now that Christmas came and passed?
Did it matter it was simple? It was humble? Didn't last?
Like it mattered God was godly! Oh, it mattered God was wee!
For he took upon our weakness — for he joined humanity!
§§§
"Goodie, goodie" cry the children once again as Christmas nears.
There'll be candy, gifts and stockings, and again the Christmas "cheers!"
But the secret of unending joy which sets this year apart
Is — amid this Happy Holiday — the manger in my heart.
