Monday, December 26, 2011

A CHRISTMAS COLLAGE by Bobbe Van Hise

The year floats away
swallowed up by persistent
tides that will return to
scatter memories along the shore,
the sweet and the bittersweet.

And then it happens,
the best saved for last.
Christmas waves a magic wand
and the earth is transformed
into a more gentle place.

A time of giving and sharing,
endless browsing for just
the right thing,
thoughts of long ago gifts
brought to the King.

A tree brightens our home with
a warm soothing glow,
keepsakes and history hanging there,
a star made by dad - 1918
wooden ornaments painted
by our children in times past.

Many cards and letters
come through our door,
our days are blessed
just to know how you are.

A holiday table is set
with china, silver and crystal,
treasures that belonged to family past
whose memories we hold dear and
now, today, they join us here.

Carefully the nativity figures are arranged,
Mary, Joseph, the Wise Men and shepherds.
I pause to cradle baby Jesus in my hand,
then lay Him in the manger.

The miracle of Christmas becomes real -
the love it took for God to become man,
to live and die for me, just as I am.