Growley

A CHRISTMAS STAR

 

A bright Christmas star

 

sits high on a tree

 

shining its light

 

for the whole world to see

 

reminding us all

 

of a night long ago

 

when a star in the sky

 

guided wise men below

 

to a small town stable

 

where a gift from above

 

was born on that night

 

to bring the world love.

 

The light from the star

 

shone down on a child

 

asleep in the manger

 

so meek and so mild.

 

Shepherds and wise men

 

that came to draw near

 

spread the good news

 

that the savior is here.

 

The Christmas tree star

 

now leads us today

 

to the birth of a miracle

 

that first Christmas day.

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

 

Tom Krause

 

Copyright 2006

 

krausespeaking.com

 

CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR

 

It’s Christmas time again

 

so where is all of the cheer?

 

It used to be a happy time

 

but now I don’t feel the happiness

 

and warmth around me

 

How come throughout the years

 

our Christmas spirit has

 

little by little

 

started to drain from us

 

When I was little

 

I would wake up early to

 

see what Santa had brought

 

but now I sleep quietly in my bed

 

until my parents tell me to wake up

 

Christmas used to bring happiness and cheer

 

but now I’m afraid that there is none left

 

for this Christmas season

 

It used to be just fun and games

 

but now all that I hear

 

Is how hard it will be to buy

 

Christmas presents this year

 

So tell me please

 

where has all of the Christmas spirit gone

 

and will it ever come back to my family and me?

 

— Submitted by: Stephanie Cameron

 

There Is An Angel

 

There is an Angel on top of my Christmas Tree

 

Sent from heaven to watch over me

 

From whom it came is no mystery

 

It’s my mother who passed so unexpectedly

 

I miss you ever so painfully

 

But I know I will be with you again in eternity

 

So rest ever so peacefully

 

And let your angel watch over me

 

There is an angel on top of my Christmas Tree

 

— Contributed by Bryan & LeeAnn

 

Christmas Eve

 

Christmas Eve

 

shall i retrieve

 

my stockings hung with care

 

may I share

 

my wrapped goodies

 

share hoodie

 

Santa Claus

 

shaken paws raeindeers

 

all a glow this Christmas eve

 

I shall leave with all good hope and bless thee

 

marry this I bless thee young and cheery

 

— by Jenny dec,20,05

 

The Christmas Meaning

 

I think of the wondrous sounds

 

As carolers come singing from all around

 

I’m think of that special day

 

When all the family is here to stay

 

I’m thinking of decorating the fun

 

The joyous feeling in everyone

 

I’m thinking about the presents, the joy

 

the happy face on every girl and boy

 

And when I’m thinking about all this

 

I’m thinking about what the Christmas meaning really is,

 

About Christ being born to forgive all our sins.

 

— by Ashley Hays

 

Joy, Peace & Love

 

Christmas is a time of joy peace and love.

 

Not toys but giving and Jesus’ birth.

 

We must not only think about toys

 

but of Jesus and all the wonderful things he gave us.

 

— by Brianna Flood

 

Age 10

 

The Reason for the Season

 

 

 

Christmas time again as the years roll by

 

This year is no different than the one before

 

The holiday cheer does not visit my home

 

Loneliness instead knocks on my door.

 

I visit the malls and the air filled with cheer

 

The scurry and flurry expressed in glee

 

Hurrying to meet the deadline of Christmas Day

 

To lay loving gifts at the foot of the tree.

 

But, then I remembered the reason for the season

 

The gifts are really symbols of giving

 

Out of a love birthed many years ago

 

Which is the ultimate gift for mankind’s living

 

What can we give the Christ child

 

Did He not come to give Himself for our lives

 

Because of Him and His work on the cross

 

Mankind is reconciled to God and survives.

 

To honor Him, we must give of ourselves

 

No pretty paper or fancy tied-up bows

 

Extending love to the many who are hurting

 

Being there to hear their cries and woes.

 

There are many in need and want

 

The stranger without a face or name;

 

the child hungry and searching for food;

 

those who will never know prosperity or gain.

 

Giving of oneself to help those in need

 

This is what should be our goal to achieve

 

Forgetting our loneliness and self-centered lives

 

Reaching out to those who mourn and grieve.

 

— by Diane Wright

 

When I Found Out ’bout Santa Claus

 

 

I first found out about Santa Claus when I was six or seven

 

Still, I held out from letting on ’til long after eleven

 

But not for fear of getting less, or growing up too fast

 

And neither to hold on to this enchantment of the past

 

The memories of Christmases so many years ago

 

Include much more than parties, gifts, or playing in the snow

 

Although I knew . . I think, as I recall those years at last

 

Of something so much more than this enchantment of the past

 

Confused – I didn’t feel a bit, or question other truths

 

Quite obvious that this was simply merriment of youth

 

Passed down to each and every generation from the last

 

In hopes of all enduring this enchantment of the past

 

The telltale signs, the gifts, the parties, playing in the snow

 

The Christmas decorations, songs, and faces are all aglow

 

While these remain fond memories, traditionally steadfast

 

I now held reverently to this enchantment of the past

 

And so again today I’ve found ’bout Santa Claus once more

 

Though oftentimes I reminisce of Christmases before

 

They haven’t changed at all, except the roles have been reversed

 

Continuing tradition from so many years rehearsed

 

Topsy Turvy Christmas

 

It’s Christmas time again

 

The snow is falling down.

 

Its flakes are made of sugar

 

And are colored chocolate brown.

 

There are snowmen without hats on

 

Dogs with ten-foot tails

 

And Santa’s sleigh with bells on

 

Is pulled by killer whales.

 

Christmas trees lean sideways

 

And monkeys live within.

 

They swing from branch to branch

 

And they make an awful din.

 

Holly is not prickly,

 

Bells don’t make a sound.

 

Baubles on the Christmas trees

 

Are triangular, not round.

 

There are turkey’s playing football

 

Against the three wise men.

 

They play with rolled-up stuffing

 

And the referee’s a hen.

 

Cats sing Christmas carols,

 

Toys all come alive.

 

Action men have dresses

 

While Barbie scuba-dives.

 

There’s gravy over puddings

 

And peas are filled with cream.

 

In my topsy-turvy Christmas,

 

My topsy-turvy dream.

 

— by Bob Fiddaman

 

Birmingham, UK

 

   There Is An Angel

 

There is an Angel on top of my Christmas Tree

 

Sent from heaven to watch over me

 

From whom it came is no mystery

 

It’s my mother who passed so unexpectedly

 

I miss you ever so painfully

 

But I know I will be with you again in eternity

 

So rest ever so peacefully

 

And let your angel watch over me

 

There is an angel on top of my Christmas Tree

 

“A Whisper of Wings”

 

I remember a time, as a juvenile,

 

When Christmases incredibly beguiled

 

And overwhelmed my innocent mind,

 

When pondering a season I’d thought clearly defined.

 

The Song of Christmas, as told to me,

 

By ancestors descended from my family tree,

 

Was to herald the birth of a Savior of Life

 

And redeem us from sin and Earthly strife.

 

But my own thoughts lay solely on Santa Claus,

 

On family gatherings, early winter thaws,

 

On glittering lights, and family traditions,

 

On sumptuous meals, and carol renditions.

 

I reflected on the joys of the season

 

That fell within a child’s unknowing reason,

 

On gifts and stockings, which hung by the fire,

 

On stories of elves, told before I retired

 

To a night laced with dreams of peppermint sticks,

 

Sugar-baked cookies, and eggnog, are too thick.

 

Of toys and teddies and the most beautiful dollies,

 

All nestled around a tree decorated with holly;

 

Of cousins and aunts and seldom-seen kin,

 

Who found their way home for Christmas again.

 

Of a winter veiled in a snow’s first light,

 

And the cinnamon scent from a candle’s light.

 

I thought only of my own youthful allusions,

 

Of a fairytale Christmas borne in childlike delusion.

 

Until late one wintery Christmas eve,

 

As I raised my prayers in sweet relief,

 

An angelic voice of spiritual light

 

Drifted down to me to heed my plight.

 

“Fear not, little one,” she spoke to me,

 

“For I have come to enlighten thee;

 

To give you pause for a moment’s reflection

 

And steer your thoughts in a worthy direction.

 

Christmas is not just about presents and toys

 

For those, we consider good girls and boys.”

 

“It’s a time of remembrance of a noblest birth

 

For the Son of God who reigned here on Earth,

 

Who shouldered your sins, as though all His own,

 

Until such a time when you’re suitably grown,

 

So you could live freely to explore your own dreams

 

And discover the right from the wrong of your means.”

 

And, as the whisper of wings fluttered there in the dark,

 

I sensed my companion’s brisk need to depart

 

To a heavenly paradise, I chose to believe

 

Where this Voice of Love had once been conceived.

 

So, I altered my prayers from that sacred night on,

 

As a consequence of that celestial song,

 

And I begged for forgiveness of failings of mine

 

From the most Supreme Being existing in time.

 

And I prayed not for gifts or treasures of gold,

 

But for the wisdom of Heart, about which I’d been told,

 

And for a way, I might share this Divine Intervention

 

With all who might need some well-meaning intention.

 

So, I say to you now at this time of the year,

 

To hold fast in your heart that which you feel dear,

 

And find in yourself that brief spark of Light,

 

that brings you His love on this Holiest of nights…

 

Wishing you a Blissful Christmas!

 

–By B. J. Pearce

 

(for my family)

 

I first found out about Santa Claus when I was six or seven

 

Still, I held out from letting on ’til long after eleven

 

But not for fear of getting less, or growing up too fast

 

And neither to hold on to this enchantment of the past

 

The memories of Christmases so many years ago

 

Include much more than parties, gifts, or playing in the snow

 

Although I knew . . I think, as I recall those years at last

 

Of something so much more than this enchantment of the past

 

Confused – I didn’t feel a bit, or question other truths

 

Quite obvious that this was simply merriment of youth

 

Passed down to each and every generation from the last

 

In hopes of all enduring this enchantment of the past

 

The telltale signs, the gifts, the parties, playing in the snow

 

The Christmas decorations, songs, and faces are all aglow

 

While these remain fond memories, traditionally steadfast

 

I now held reverently to this enchantment of the past

 

And so again today I’ve found ’bout Santa Claus once more

 

Though oftentimes I reminisce of Christmases before

 

They haven’t changed at all, except the roles have been reversed

 

Continuing tradition from so many years rehearsed

 

Topsy Turvy Christmas

 

It’s Christmas time again

 

The snow is falling down.

 

Its flakes are made of sugar

 

And are colored chocolate brown.

 

There are snowmen without hats on

 

Dogs with ten-foot tails

 

And Santa’s sleigh with bells on

 

Is pulled by killer whales.

 

Christmas trees lean sideways

 

And monkeys live within.

 

They swing from branch to branch

 

And they make an awful din.

 

Holly is not prickly,

 

Bells don’t make a sound.

 

Baubles on the Christmas trees

 

Are triangular, not round.

 

There’s turkeys playing football

 

Against the three wise men.

 

They play with rolled-up stuffing

 

And the referee’s a hen.

 

Cats sing Christmas carols,

 

Toys all come alive.

 

Action men have dresses

 

While Barbie scuba-dives.

 

There’s gravy over puddings

 

And peas are filled with cream.

 

In my topsy-turvy Christmas,

 

My topsy-turvy dream.

 

— by Bob Fiddaman

 

Birmingham, UK

 

   There Is An Angel

 

There is an Angel on top of my Christmas Tree

 

Sent from heaven to watch over me

 

From whom it came is no mystery

 

It’s my mother who passed so unexpectedly

 

I miss you ever so painfully

 

But I know I will be with you again in eternity

 

So rest ever so peacefully

 

And let your angel watch over me

 

There is an angel on top of my Christmas Tree

 

“A Whisper of Wings”

 

I remember a time, as a juvenile,

 

When Christmases incredibly beguiled

 

And overwhelmed my innocent mind,

 

When pondering a season I’d thought clearly defined.

 

The Song of Christmas, as told to me,

 

By ancestors descended from my family tree,

 

Was to herald the birth of a Savior of Life

 

And redeem us from sin and Earthly strife.

 

But my own thoughts lay solely on Santa Claus,

 

At family gatherings, early winter thaws,

 

With glittering lights, and family traditions,

 

On sumptuous meals, and carol renditions.

 

I reflected on the joys of the season

 

That fell within a child’s unknowing reason,

 

On gifts and stockings, which hung by the fire,

 

On stories of elves, told before I retired

 

To a night laced with dreams of peppermint sticks,

 

Sugar-baked cookies, and eggnog, are too thick.

 

Of toys and teddies and the most beautiful dollies,

 

All nestled around a tree decorated with holly;

 

Of cousins and aunts and seldom-seen kin,

 

Who found their way home for Christmas again.

 

Of a winter veiled in a snow’s first light,

 

And the cinnamon scent from a candle’s light.

 

I thought only of my own youthful allusions,

 

Of a fairytale Christmas borne in childlike delusion.

 

Until late one wintery Christmas eve,

 

As I raised my prayers in sweet relief,

 

An angelic voice of spiritual light

 

Drifted down to me to heed my plight.

 

“Fear not, little one,” she spoke to me,

 

“For I have come to enlighten thee;

 

To give you pause for a moment’s reflection

 

And steer your thoughts in a worthy direction.

 

Christmas is not just about presents and toys

 

For those, we consider good girls and boys.”

 

“It’s a time of remembrance of a noblest birth

 

For the Son of God who reigned here on Earth,

 

Who shouldered your sins, as though all His own,

 

Until such a time when you’re suitably grown,

 

So you could live freely to explore your own dreams

 

And discover the right from the wrong of your means.”

 

And, as the whisper of wings fluttered there in the dark,

 

I sensed my companion’s brisk need to depart

 

To a heavenly paradise, I chose to believe

 

Where this Voice of Love had once been conceived.

 

So, I altered my prayers from that sacred night on,

 

As a consequence of that celestial song,

 

And I begged for forgiveness of failings of mine

 

From the most Supreme Being existing in time.

 

And I prayed not for gifts or treasures of gold,

 

But for the wisdom of Heart, about which I’d been told,

 

And for a way, I might share this Divine Intervention

 

With all who might need some well-meaning intention.

 

So, I say to you now at this time of the year,

 

To hold fast in your heart that which you feel dear,

 

And find in yourself that brief spark of Light,

 

that brings you His love on this Holiest of nights…

 

Wishing you a Blissful Christmas!

 

–By B. J. Pearce

 

(for my family)

 

Christmas Is A Happy Day

 

 

Christmas is a happy day

 

It’s time for all the kids to say,

 

“Presents presents! We want more!

 

We want presents of 104!”

 

Toys, clothes, electronics, too.

 

All these things are just for you.

 

Santa Claus is coming

 

He’s coming to see you

 

There are lots of gifts he brought just for you

 

Rudolph, Prancer, Donner, Blitzen

 

Those are the reindeer of Christmas season

 

There are more reindeer, but I can’t think of their names.

 

But they give us Santa and we give them fame!

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

— by Ida

 

A Ride in Santa’s Sleigh

 

Darkness falls over the city

 

As the houses are framed in light

 

And I recall when as a child

 

I eagerly waited for the dawn

 

Now as the stillness settles on

 

The wishes of the holiday

 

What I would like the most this year

 

Is to ride in Santa’s sleigh

 

Floating on the lingering trace

 

Of carols sung by a fervent choir

 

The runners glide to a graceful-stop

 

And the driver signals me to come

 

Perhaps he’d let me take the reins

 

Don’t worry for Rudolph knows the way

 

What I would like the most this year

 

Is to ride in Santa’s sleigh

 

Soaring high over the rooftops

 

To see this world from above

 

Then to the task before returning

 

Silently so that no one would know

 

Never mind a spaceship ride

 

Around the earth or the Milky Way

 

What I would like most this year

 

Is to ride in Santa’s sleigh

 

A farewell pat for each reindeer

 

And a cheery embrace before

 

Santa waves as he departs

 

To complete the journey that remains

 

For just the chance to help bring

 

Joy to everyone along the way

 

What I would like most this year

 

Is to ride in Santa’s sleigh

 

— by Kennan Zishka

 

  Visions Past

 

The Christmas tree was real

 

That heavy tinsel, special feel

 

So many lights, in sparkling view

 

Glass ornaments hung neatly too

 

An angel perched, atop it all

 

Seen Shining down, it did not fall

 

The tree was watered in its stand

 

Its a special smell, came on so grand

 

Nativity was always perched

 

In the middle window, all would search

 

Side windows dressed with candlelight

 

I‘d check the view, from a sidewalk sight

 

All was right, this child felt sure

 

A special time, lived in his door

 

I thank you, God, for visions past

 

Which come alive, to hold and grasp

 

— ©2000 Roger J. Robicheau

 

    Oh Little Child

 

Oh Little child so near the tree

 

The precious view you clearly see

 

Adorned in white, a glistened sight

 

A chilling warmth, it’s nearly night

 

Excitement grows within each eye

 

A splendid match, so bright yet shy

 

You make each wish, each secret part

 

A ray with God so fills your heart

 

Your wants are small, unselfish child

 

Not to be wrapped, branded or styled

 

A world of hope, filled full of peace

 

A caring call, let love increase

 

Next year this child so wants to be

 

Back out to watch, this growing tree

 

What of our wants as time goes by

 

Will hope and peace and love climb high

 

— ©2001Roger J. Robicheau

 

A Christmas Mouse

 

A little mouse crept slowly up to the Christmas tree.

 

He thought that he would borrow an ornament or three.

 

The cat was found there snoozing, he was really quite asleep.

 

And so the mouse quietly tip-toed, he didn’t make a peep.

 

mouse at Polizia.comHe peeked from behind the davenport, he was in the clear.

 

The cat yawned and stretched just then it filled him with such fear.

 

But soon the sleepy cat settled back into his nap

 

And the little mouse avoided a cat and mouse mishap.

 

The mouse climbed up the tree trunk, he smelled the fresh-cut pine.

 

He broke off just a bit of branch, “This Christmas branch is mine!”

 

He took a golden Christmas bell and tied it like a hat

 

Then scurried down the Christmas tree and past the sleeping cat.

 

He set the branch into a spool and it became his tree.

 

Decked his halls with the golden bell; it filled his heart with glee.

 

Then bravely cross the room again to fetch a candy cane

 

He hurried to the lit-up the tree into the cat’s domain.

 

There on the highest branch, he saw a red and white striped glint.

 

Happily, he grabbed a hold of the yummy peppermint.

 

But just then he lost his balance and he fell head over heels

 

Tumbling thru tinsel and lights, crying out in mousey squeals.

 

The cat woke up and looked about, he looked around the house.

 

He looked beside the Christmas tree but didn’t see the mouse.

 

It took just a few more minutes for the cat to nestle in

 

And the mouse took up his candy and snuck past him with a grin.

 

He couldn’t have predicted, there was nothing to foresee

 

How could the mouse have known he was allergic to the tree?

 

Halfway across the room the mouse could feel a little tease

 

Just the very beginning of a little mousey sneeze.

 

Ah ah ah…the mouse stood still there clutching his candy cane.

 

Ah ah ah…to sneeze a sneeze right now would just be so insane!

 

Ah ah ah…he couldn’t help it…Ah ah ah ah ah ah choose!

 

And with that, the cat woke up and said, “Merry Christmas! God bless you!”

 

–Written by Mary Ellen Smith

 

Under the Mistletoe

 

Kiss me at midnight under the mistletoe,

 

while all the worlds are asleep.

 

Kiss me at midnight, under the mistletoe

 

while our Love is running deep.

 

Tell no one of this dalliance

 

for this is a secret to keep.

 

Just let passion run high,

 

Our soul’s race to the sky.

 

and with joy, our hearts shall sleep.

 

Kiss me at midnight under the mistletoe,

 

as night turns into day.

 

Yes kiss me under the mistletoe,

 

Then in peaceful sleep, We’ll lay.

 

–Written by Gail Odle

 

A Birthday Affair

 

Dawn came early that winter’s day,

 

As Christmas dawns do, for children anyway.

 

Rubbing weary eyes, jumping out of bed,

 

Clearing out cobwebs from sleepy little heads.

 

Waking up their parents from a warm winter’s sleep,

 

Looking out in the yard, fresh snow… a foot deep.

 

All the little children of our little town

 

Were up and about, all running around.

 

Then down with a shout and a giggle of glee,

 

To the hearth, and stockings, and the big Christmas tree.

 

But all of a sudden they stopped with a stare,

 

For it looked as if Santa had never been there.

 

The tree was still bright with lights like before,

 

But there were no toys or presents on the old wooden floor.

 

The children were quiet, some started to cry,

 

They all were confused, their tears asking “Why?”

 

The parents told the children there was nothing to do,

 

There were no Christmas presents, but why? No one knew.

 

So they all had their breakfasts but none ate a lot,

 

Then all left for church at ten on the dot.

 

When they got to the church, the pastor seemed bright,

 

But he sensed right away that things weren’t just right.

 

After all had been told his arms opened wide,

 

And he hugged one and all as he walked them inside.

 

His sermon that day was special for sure,

 

And as for the doldrums, it seemed the best cure.

 

He reminded them then the reason they were there,

 

And he told them that Christmas was A BIRTHDAY AFFAIR.

 

He told them that birthdays were times of great joy,

 

When we give our friends gifts like clothing or toys.

 

He told them that Christ was today’s birthday boy,

 

And that them being there would bring him great joy.

 

He told them the story of the first Christmas night,

 

Of Mary and Joseph and a star very bright.

 

He told them to be happy, to sing! To enjoy!

 

He told them that Christmas was much more than just toys.

 

The parents just listened, and the children did too,

 

And began to understand, and to feel better too.

 

And a Christmas without toys was really not bad,

 

Especially when they realized all the things that they had.

 

So they finished the service, and jumped in the car,

 

And rode home to have the best Christmas by far.

 

And when they got home Christmas was complete,

 

For Santa had been there, on their very street.

 

To all, he left presents, and smiles broad and wide,

 

And a little white envelope, with a message inside.

 

Then papa and mama and the kids gathered ’round, And while papa read the note there was no other sound.