Wishes for the New Year

Once again, the old year passes away.
We greet a new year at the dawning of a new day.
May we each find a way,
To be kind in all we say.

May the New Year bring us hope,
And a new found strength with which to cope.
May we always find a strong hold no matter how steep the slope,
As well as the sense to know when to say, “Nope!”

May we always show love and kindness
To family and friends even in duress.
May we not be overloaded with stress,
And may goodness of character, we always possess.

May we always remember the power of a kind touch,
And how it can mean so much.
May we never hesitate to lend a hand or be a crutch
To those who for strength to us clutch.

May we remember the very young and the very old
And not forget their hands to hold.
May we have courage and be bold,
That what is right we may always uphold.

May we always show love,
In the manner shown to us from above,
Wrapped around us and others as a glove,
A sign to all who meet us, of His love.

May blessing abound in your new year,
Bringing you hope and good cheer.
May your way be clear
And your course easy to steer.
Have a Happy New Year!

Christmas Open House

Christmas Open House

Some families celebrate on Christmas Day
As do we in many ways,
But for me Christmas Eve is the traditional part
And it is there that I find my heart.

On the twenty-forth we can all be found,
In my parent’s house gathering ‘round;
Putting finishing touches here and there,
On decorations and food and getting it all prepared.

By evening time the house is bustling,
Full of family and friends each room is bursting;
There is joy, laughter, stories and more,
And listen, the bell, there’s more at the door.

The kitchen counters are lined with food galore,
That won’t run out because the ‘fridge has more;
And while we eat we enjoy the beautiful, tall tree
With its lights shining bright and festively.

Before we gather round to open the gifts,
Prayer, song and praise to our Lord our voices do lift;
And from the Bible we read from Luke 2,
The story of Jesus born for me and for you.

There are kisses, and hugs and greetings for all;
There’s visiting, music, and games in the hall;
In the back room amateur musicians sometimes play,
Bringing life to Christmas Carols in their own way.

It’s a Christmas gala brimming with life,
Where all is joy and none is strife;
Where the reason for the season shines through
In love and joy that is true.

So each Christmas Eve as this open house begins
And we prepare our hearts to greet family and friends
This Christmas tradition brings us all cheer
Knowing it will be spent with loved ones all near.

Day 224-Christmas Reflections

When I gaze upon the Christmas tree,
Oh what beauty I do see.
With bows of green and balls of gold,
What a wondrous tradition of old.

As a whole it’s magnificent,
An ever green that seems heaven-sent.
It shines with light from up above,
A bright reflection of our Savior’s love.

When most look they see only a tree,
Decorated for all to see.
But it is more than meets the eye,
A lasting tradition by and by.

The tree itself so evergreen,
A symbol of eternal life it means.
The lights that twinkle oh so bright,
A reflection of Christ, the world’s true light.

And what of the balls that glitter there,
They reflect the world around we share.
Look closely in them and you will see,
A revolving picture of you and me.

They continuously reflect what passes by
Hidden moments of the world they ply.
Most don’t look closely enough to see,
For each little happening flickers in these.

They capture the bad and the good,
In fleeting moments as only they could.
Look closely next time at these decorations
And watch their constant Christmas reflections.

See the joy in one child’s face,
While on another sadness takes its place.
See all the beauty and festiveness,
And then the rush and anxiousness.

Look close in that ball and watch the world
As each moment is unfurled.
What reflections are seen there;
Is Christmas being spread with care?
Are the reflections that you see,
Worthy of Christmas as they should be?
Are they reflecting Christ to the world,
In the pictures there as the glass balls twirl?

It’s up to each of us to do our part,
So that the Christmas reflections are from our heart.
Christmas reflections shown on a tree,
Should be filled with love and joy for the world to see.