The Heart of Christmas

A Poem

Images suggest themselves
when the calendar draws close to this day of days-
hardy trees wreathed in gold,
twinkling lights playing against bauble glass,
prizes wrapped in pretty paper,

but they don’t get to the heart of Christmas.

Songs play in our heads and on our lips
when the calendar draws close to this day of days-
The carols and the brass band hum,
The merry crooners tipsy drawl,
Even popsters made fixture through repetition,

but they don’t get to the heart of Christmas.

The heart is in a tiny moment
in this feast founded on a miracle,
when the warmth of true gratitude is felt in full
and the mystery and majesty hits all at once.
The festivities fade
And for a still and timeless second
The promise of the holy child holds the heart
And all becomes hope and love and light.

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