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Christmas is coming

Four weeks to go - the advent candle lit -

And everybody has a little list

Of things that must be done

Of presents bought

Of menues sorted

Childen calmed

Old carols dusted down.

Three weeks to go - the second candle lit -

The turkey's in the freezer

The distant presents packed

The children's lists get longer

And the Bristol Cream sneaks back

To lurk on the kitchen table

Next to the fresh mince pies.

Two weeks to go - the third candle appears -

Panic of the gentle kind

Invades the daily calm

Piles of parcels in the hall

Decorations from the loft

Must check the lights before we leave

For the Carol Concert at the primary school.

One week to go - the final candle lit -

Cards have all been posted

Parcels are on their way

Decorations all in place

Cakes and puddings in the larder

Piles of chocolate logs and coins

With the Advocat and Creme de Menthe.

Christmas Eve; and it's all here -

All the fuss and angst and jostle

All the waiting and the tears

All the money we have lavished

All the extra food and beers -

For what?

An annual family blowout?

An annual visit to Aunt Flo?

A story we heard in our childhood?

A carol recalled from long ago?

Is it no more than sleighs and rheindeer

An excuse to eat and drink too much,

Or do the Solstice and the Star-shine

Echo,with their silent touch,

A love that goes beyond a baby,

Far beyond religion's crutch,

Towards a truth that makes us human

Love is all - for God is such.

Brian Hick Christmas 2011

©copyright Sally Hick 25.12. 2023