I once thought
that Christmas meant sleigh
bells and snows
And gifts gaily tied with bright ribbons and bows, Till one day an old man with a much wiser head (Who spoke not religion but lived it instead) And knowing, on Christmas, the gifts would be few Succeeded in changing my whole point of view. For pulling a chair along side me one day, He talked and he whittled an old board away. "Christmas," he told me, "is a way of livin', Not ours for the takin' but ours for the givin'. The best gifts are not tied with ribbons and bows Things like love and faith and cheery "hello's.' And whether a Christmas is bounteous or lean, It's the birthday of Christ _ Do you get what I mean?" The bell that he rang was as clear as could be, And Christmas took on a new meaning for me. Our snowman that year (best of them all) Wore his stovepipe hat more stately and tall, And the popcorn popped to the very last grain, And somehow we managed one big candy cane. The carols that year rang out so much sweeter; Two little tin soldiers played follow the leader! Though sparse were the gifts, the tree held much splendor, For that year it glowed with thoughts of the sender! Remembered Christmas! Could I ever forget Those words of wisdom that abide with me yet? Our Christmas that year was the best that we'd had, For that wise old man, guess you know, was my Dad. Today, because of him, the snow falls whiter And I know the star of the east shines much brighter; And whether a Christmas is bounteous or lean, It's the birthday of Christ_Do you know what I mean?
©Laura
Baker Haynes
Thanks For Visiting
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