31st January 2015

"When we remember a special Christmas,

 it is not the presents that made it special, 

but the laughter, the feeling of love, 

and the togetherness of friends and family

 that made that Christmas special."

30th January 2015

Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne,

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp,

And surely I'll be mine!

And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne,

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

We twa hae run about the braes,

And pu'd the gowans fine;

But we've wandered mony a weary fit

Sin' auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne,

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidled i' the burn,

Frae morning sun till dine;

But seas between us braid hae roared

Sin' auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne,

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere,

And gie's a hand o' thine!

And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught

For auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne,

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

29th January 2015

T'was the night before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.

A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

28th January 2015

Christmas Secrets

I know so many secrets

Such secrets full of fun;

But if you hear my secrets,

Please don't tell anyone.

Here are some lights that twinkle,

Here is an ornament.

Here is a great big present

From Grandpa it was sent.

And on the very tip-tip top,

An angel you can see,

What is the secret? Can't you tell?

Why, it's a Christmas tree!

27th January 2015

Christmas is a holiday for friends,

However they may be, or not, related.

Remember that the three wise kings were strangers

In search of one remote, uncanny dream.

So may we all be far more than we seem,

Together bound for dark and haunting changes,

More lovely for the loves we have created

Along the lonely paths from means to ends,

Stumbling towards that star of Bethlehem

26th January 2015

How lovely 'tis to take this time

To greet our dearest friends,

To wish them health and happiness

Before the old year ends.

Darkness comes late afternoon

And winter lies ahead,

But friendship is a glowing fire

When all seems cold and dead.

Just as in some vacant barn,

Unnoticed in the night,

The whole of human history turns,

So we, too, make things right.

We must keep alive the flame

Though darkness grip the Earth;

For in the love we find in friends

Is our chance for rebirth.

25th January 2015

Miracles have a way of making news.

Even skeptics stare at parted seas.

Religious or not--Christians, Muslims, Jews--

Resurrection brings them to their knees!

Years ago, miracles were in vogue:

Christ and Moses wowed the willing crowds;

Holy icons healed both saint and rogue;

Rare wonders were ascribed to cups and shrouds.

In our time miracles are everyday,

So few can hope to grab us, or astound.

The mysteries that clutter up our way

May seem much more perplexing than profound.

And yet life is miraculous: to be

Surpasses any wonder we might see.

24th January 2015

Though this may be our Christmas last, 

It is a time of cheer.

We dance within a theater vast,

Yet live from year to year.

All that we have shared remains 

Within when we are gone,

Just as a house, though long since dust,

Might well remain a home.

And so we lift this glass of joy 

Once more on Christmas Eve,

For time ought not such times destroy,

Nor gifts untimely leave.

23rd January 2015

Candlelit Heart

Somewhere across the winter world tonight

You will be hearing chimes that fill the air;

Christmas extends its all-enfolding light

Across the distance...something we can share.

You will be singing, just the same as I,

These familiar songs we know so well,

And you will see these same stars in your sky

And wish upon that brightest one that fell.

I shall remember you and trim my tree,

One shining star upon the topmost bough;

I will hang wreaths of faith that all may see --

Tonight I glimpse beyond the hear and now.

And all the time that we must be apart

I keep a candle in my heart.