*

Christmas, 2017

“As a child I asked the man in red

‘Hey, Santa, what’s your Christmas wish?’

And this is what he said:

‘I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony.

I’d like to hold it in my arms and keep it company

I’d like to see the world for once all standing hand in hand

And hear them echo through the hills for peace throughout the land.’”

~The Tenors’ “Santa’s Wish”~

Anne’s Wish

Twas the months before Christmas and all through the house,

There were struggles with Shingles and knee cysts and flu,

And a sadness that pervaded right down to my shoes.

~~

Then, one night, sitting down alone with my Pap,

We had just settled down for an early night’s nap

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

We sprang from our chairs to see what was the matter.

~~

Away to the window I flew like a flash

To find both my cars taken out in a crash.

And what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a drunk driver, unconscious and in need of repair.

~~

I knew in a moment I must call 911

For her door was smashed in and she was undone.

More rapid than eagles their coursers they came

As we whistled and shouted and called them by name:

~~

“Now, Coppers, now, Medics, now Tow truck please come.”

We have a great mess and we are now, the undone!

~~

It was there in the stillness that followed the crash

That my heart began crying with over-reacting abash.

Why was I so sullen, so bothered by this?

I wondered and muddled, for an answer I wished.

~~

As my red car was towed and drove out of sight

I began to understand it was about more than this blight.

It was about my friend Paula who had given the car

And each of the others who have left for the stars.

It was about Lettie and Ross and the rest

Who I no longer see but hold close to my breast.

~~

And then it came upon the midnight clearly

The answer I was longing for so dearly

As I heard the Tenors sing

And re-imagined the message they bring.

~~

The reason for this whole Christmas thing:

It’s about Jesus and the hope He brings

As from His promises, these words He sings:

~~

“I want to teach the world to sing

in perfect harmony

To hold it in my arms

And keep it company.
~~

I want to see the world for once

All standing hand in hand

And hear them echo through the hills

For peace throughout the land.”

~~

It’s why He came one Christmas morn

So that hope might spring from my own mourning

He has come into my neighborhood

To bring from harm, all that is His Good.

~~

He sits beside me in my troubled estate

And holds me through the sadness it creates

Because, you see, it’s not Santa’s wish

but rather Jesus’ Promises

He is the reason for the season

Even when life holds no rhyme or reason.

~~

One day the world will learn His song

And sing in perfect harmony

In the meantime, He will hold us in His arms

And keep us company.

~~

May He keep you company this Merry Christmas.

Love, Anne and boys