Old Father Christmas Inspiration

An Advent Alphabet from A-Z
by M Ryan Taylor
Copyright © 2008 M Ryan Taylor

Angels announce
Bethlehem’s birth:
“Christ comes,
Dayspring dawns,
even Emmanuel!”

Frankincense fine,
glittering Gold.

Herod’s hate hovers:
Intrigue invested in
Jerusalem’s
King’s
low Lies.

Manger - Myrrh
“Noel! Noel!”
one omniscient Offering!
praising Pray!
Quest
Reached. “Rise,
shine! shimmering Star!”

traitorous Tyrant tricked.

Upward united
voices Voice:
“Wonderful! Wonderful!
eXcelsis! eXcelsis!”
yields Your
Zion’s zeal.

Christ is our Evergreen
by M Ryan Taylor
Copyright © 2008 M Ryan Taylor

I remember, round the evergreen,
when I was small,
gathering to trim the tree
with loved ones all
in December, round the evergreen,
gazing in delight,
for the baubles, bells and garlands on the boughs
made our hearts bright.

I remember, round the evergreen,
when I was small,
placing gifts about the tree
for loved ones all
in December, round the evergreen,
giving with delight,
for the boxes, bows and bags under the boughs
made our hearts bright.

Growing up, the symbol of the tree
became more clear to me,
and presents placed with care for Christmas morn
remind me now a greater gift was born.

Christ is our evergreen, Christ is our root,
and tokens wreathed about the branches: His fairest fruit.
We are the evergreen, each grafted bough;
His gifts and garlands brightly shine about us now!
Crowning the glorious tree: Bethlehem’s star
guides the hungry traveler to Him from afar.

I remember, round the evergreen,
when I was small,
singing songs about the tree
with loved ones all
in December, round the evergreen,
singing with delight,
for the carols, bells and songs of grateful praise
made our hearts bright.

Christ is our evergreen, Christ is our root,
and tokens wreathed about the branches: His fairest fruit.
We are the evergreen, each grafted bough;
His gifts and garlands brightly shine about us now!
Crowning the glorious tree: Bethlehem’s star
guides the hungry traveler to Him from afar.

Christ is our evergreen, Christ is our root,
and tokens wreathed about the branches: His fairest fruit.

Christmas Kept
by M Ryan Taylor
Copyright © 2008 M Ryan Taylor

“Only five shopping days until Christmas!”
spelled out in a bright green and red.
My heart skips twice, caught up in a vice
between rabid panic and dread.

With seventeen “tokens of love” yet to buy
and forty-five cards yet to post:
“To do”s in my brain form a ponderous chain,
the envy of old Marley’s ghost.

Gold or black? Orange or blue?
Peach or sky? or a lavender hue? “Excuse me.”
Plum or pink? I cannot think! “Pardon me.”
Eggnog’s a color and not just a drink? “Could I have a look too?”
Granite grey or “Ruby Rocks!”? “Hey, your blocking the aisle.”
Too many choices for one pair of socks! “Would you let me through please?”
Striped or plaid with Celtic knots, “Can I help you find something?”
or paisley with calico polka dots? “Oh, I’m sorry, did you want that one?”

Quickly I make for the exit,
abandon my mart cart and run.
My heart feels the flow of mon esprit joyeux
as I stand in the radiant sun.

While studying socks at the Walmart today
a wonderful thought filled my head;
The marketing bend claims “To give is to spend.”
Yet, I’d rather keep Christmas instead!

Carols sung, a kindly word,
Service gone unseen and unheard,
Time well-shared and stories read,
Poor ones remembered and better well-fed.
Greater gifts are only found
accepting the gift sent to all around:
Christmas kept can only start
by letting the Christmas Child into your heart.