Poetic Expressions Christmas 2008 Theme: "The Spirit of Christmas"

A Christmas Spirit

Christmas isn't Christmas till it happens in your heart
A cherished thought or memory is where it really starts
A precious part of something to which nothing can compare
When the spirit of the season brings those things we love to share.

First the gift of a babe one silent holy night
Beneath a sky of velvet black where one lone star shone bright
As shepherds watched and angels gathered in harmony to sing
"Glory to God in the highest for the new-born King!"

In tribute to the first Noel the season came to be
A time for love and giving, laughter and memories
To deck the halls not just with lights, holly or mistletoe
But with all the things that bring you joy and make a house a home.

Over the years we've shared the joy, the love and happiness
And through it all we've come to see our lives are richly blessed
And though this year we may have felt such pain so hard to bare
We know in the end we'll always have our memories to share.

It's Christmastime and the spirit of the season still remains
With memories and gifts of love no heart could ever change
Reminiscent of other times now so far away
I hold them close and remember as if they were yesterday.

No, Christmas isn't Christmas till it happens in your heart
And I know deep inside of me they will always be a part,
A spirit filled with all the things like joy and peace and love
In the blessed memories shining from the lone star up above.

© Christina aka Stina
2008

An Aussie Christmas

40 degree days and backyard cricket,
Family get togethers, wrapping presents!
Jokes and Laughter, hope and fun,
Lets hurry up and see what Santa Brung!

Sitting around the table making food,
Cooking chicken in the oven and eggs on the stove,
Decorating the Christmas tree,
And taking photos!
An Aussie Christmas means the most!

Family members young and old
Brought together for traditional lunch
Playing Buzz! In the living room
And cricket in the backyard after lunch
Lets hope none of the windows break!

Laughing, joking, playing games,
Making memories that last a life time,
An Aussie Christmas means the most,
So, Merry Christmas everyone!

© Amanda Jenkins
2008

True Spirit of Christmas

A silent tear runs down my cheek
Falling to the white snow at my feet
The memories in my heart I hold so dear
From times of a young child's Christmas treat

Remembering the times of yester year
When our family all came together and near
The laughter in the air - as we all sat there
Around the table for our traditional meal

The Christmas tree by the window so all could see
The lights reflecting off the snow on a winter's night
The Christmas window was always so colorful and bright
Touching a child's heart and filling it with delight

Remembering my mother and father
Trying to be ever so quiet when Santa came on Christmas night
To keep the secret alive within our heart
So the magic would stay with us for the rest of our life

Remembering a special story forever being told
Of a baby boy born under the Christmas star
On this night to take on the plight of all man kind
Our saviour given by our creator of life

The spirit of Christmas will stay within our hearts
As long as we cherish the true meaning it holds
From the day were born - to the days when we grow old
Of this day with its secrets of peace will always be told

© Tootypup - Susan
2008

The Spirit of My Family Christmas

Each year we gather together
To decorate our Christmas tree.
The days are very different to those
When it was just John and me.
We share a special meal and memories
Of other days and other seasons,
Laugh together at things we did
Remembering all the reasons.

The lights go on first upon the tree,
Then the decorations with pride.
Watching my grownup family
Brings joy I cannot hide.
There is special Christmas music,
Anecdotes and a glass of Champagne.
The smiles of my family bring joy to me
Like sunshine after rain.

Nick takes care of the Christmas lights
And Naomi puts the top on the tree,
Rebecca untangles the garlands
This is the Spirit of Christmas for me.
There is cherished Christmas music
And I sit and take in the view
My family is The Spirit of Christmas
Such treasured times and true.

© Linda J. Vaughan
2008

Christmas Spirit

The Spirit of Christmas
What does that mean to me
Besides the decorations and carols
It's also other things you see

Like carrying in groceries
For your next door neighbor
Or bringing that sweet little lady
Her early morning paper

Taking out the trash
Or walking the neighborhood dogs
Finishing up little tasks
Like stacking up fire logs

It's the simplest things
That seem to bring out the best
That's what Christmas is to me
A feeling unlike the rest.

© Jeri aka Windstorm
2008

Christmas Spirit Lives

In the soft Christmas snowfall
with shimmering lights aglow
a person shuffles slowly
shivering in the snow.

Fluttering rags layered thick
give no respite from the cold
an empty stomach rumbles
empty hands with nothing to hold.

Eyes downcast and shuttered
bitter memories untold
trampled by life's sorrows
hopes and dreams cheaply sold.

All around, the bustle of crowds
festively shopping with laughter
no one sees the lonely soul
no one glances after.

Save but one person who pauses and stops
and stands in front of the lonely waif
with outstretched hand and open heart
"I've got you now, you're safe".

Empty eyes slowly fill with life
Christmas bells begin to ring
One person can be Christmas Spirit
And celestial angels will sing.

© Novella
2008

The "Spirit" of Christmas

The very first Christmas we won’t see your face.
You were taken from us, you ran a great race.
I miss the guidance, your words and your presence.
It’s Christmas I wish dad for you as my present.
My memories of you are so vivid and clear,
I feel you, I see you, I wish you were near.
I treasure the times we laughed, cried and talked,
I wish I could share all the love in my heart.
I miss that I’m not able to be by your side,
I remember that night when they told me you died.
I was with you, I talked and cried though the night,
You gave it your all dad, such a valiant fight.
The cancer was stronger and put you to rest,
No more pain, or anguish, you did your best.
It will be one year now since God got his angel,
The story of Christmas; God’s son in a manger.
How happy God was when you came to his door,
You’re free and you’re flying and look at you soar!
It’s Christmas, the laughter, closeness, and pleasure,
Of family and opening all the things that we treasure.
But what is the one thing I miss beyond measure?
It’s you dad in memory today and forever.
My heart aches for you, emotion, and sadness,
You were so a huge part in a life filled with gladness.
My love for you is wrapped tight in your arms,
Embracing and holding you free from all harm.
I’m happy you’re safe and yet I’m still sad,
It’s Christmas; I miss you, my mentor, my dad.

© Tdybear4ever
2008

Around this Time

Around this time,
I'm happy to send
out cards to getting
gifts for family and friends.

Around this time,
spending the season
with loved ones.
Sharing our memories,
depcrating the tree,
the home.

Around this time,
Always glad its the season to be generous
to charity, to help
others in need.

So glad you are back,
Christmas.

© Poet at Heart (Michelle Fisher)
2008