What I Learned One Christmas
When I was just a little girl
The greatest thrill for me
Was the wondrous time of Christmas
With a bright and shining tree.
And Mother baking cookies
And a cake for everyone
Of his own special flavor -
And carols to be sung.
And I would find on Christmas morn
That while I’d been asleep,
Someone had filled my stocking full
Of presents, fruits and sweets.
We knew that it was Santa Claus
Who came and left them there,
For everyone had told us so.
His deer flew through the air!
Then one year an older cousin
Who declared that he was right, said,
"There’s no such thing as Santa Claus
Who comes in dark of night.
No reindeer fly, no little man
In brightest suit of red ---"
And so it was with saddened step
I crept off to my bed.
But when I woke that Christmas morn
What a glorious sight to see!
Not a single thing was missing
From my stocking or the tree!
Toys were there for everyone
And fruits and sweets galore,
And a doll peeped from my stocking
That I knew I would adore.
And then I knew what he did not,
This cousin far from wise
There is a Christmas Spirit - you can
See it with your eyes.
Don’t you see the happy people?
Don’t you see the shining tree?
Don’t you see the lovely presents?
Some for you and some for me.
Don’t you see how gladly people give
To fill all lives with cheer?
Oh how I wish this Christmas time
Would last and last all year.
I learned that year it has two names
This Spirit from above,
The children call it Santa Claus
The grown-ups call it Love.
So it really doesn’t matter
What it is you strain to hear
The sound of hooves and laden sleigh
Or secrets whispered clear.
For it’s only when we close our minds
And lock our hearts up tight
That the wondrous Christmas Spirit
Does not come on Christmas night.
___________________________
by Winnie Apple Newton
Written 1988
On the occasion of Christmas with grand children