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Boxing Day 2013

Suddenly it's over

And the noise, and bustle and the expectation

Fade into wrapping paper, cold turkey and sprouts.

Peace, so sung about, descends

On our streets where lights still flash in silence,

Waiting for the New Year to erupt

And move us on to weeks of work,

Winter greyness and normality.

Shopping returns to the Tesco list

Of stuff we always buy,

Confounded only when they move the aisles.

And church? The slight excitement of the snow

Which trapped the preacher outside Tunbridge Wells

Is soon forgotten in the round

Of meetings, practices and minor arguments.

And Christmas? Just another passing phase -

A date, a day to get through like the rest?

Or did this Christmas shock us a bit,

Realising God is here with us,

Though we so often act

As if Jesus were for Christmas -

Not for life.

Brian Hick December 2013

©copyright Sally Hick 22.1.25