ABCs of Christmas

​Advent calendars and counting down days,
angels on tree-tops and where Jesus lays,
 
Bubble lights, boxes, and bright-colored bows,
baking for weeks with freshly made doughs,
 
Carolers, candy canes, and ribbon that curls,
Christmas cloaks worn over grandmother’s pearls,
 
Department store windows, decorating the house,
desperate for sleep—even the mouse,
 
Evergreen boughs and the scent of fresh pine,
extra guests at the table all ready to dine,
 
Fudge that is chewy and chocolates and sweets,
friends from afar sending holiday tweets,
 
Gingerbread houses and glitter that sparkles,
gifts for the postman who delivers the parcels,
 
Holly in wreathes with its sharp little leaves,
hiding the presents under dark eaves,

Ivory candles that light up church altars,
Incense reminds that God never falters,
 
Joy in our hearts and joy in our feet,
jingle bell rockin’ all down the street,
 
Kettles of red and hand bells that ring,
keeping the secret of what Santa will bring,
 
Letters to Santa and long distance calls,
logs on the fire and trips to the malls,
 
Mangers and magi and Mary and child,
mistletoe kisses and magic grown wild, 
 
Naughty and nice and neighbors who carol,
nutcrackers dressed in soldier apparel,
 
Ohs and ahs on this special occasion,
opening presents takes no persuasion,
 
Prickly pine needles that stick to our socks,
parade floats with singers who know where to dock,
 
Quick little elves known for work and not prattle,
quarters in stockings that hang from the mantel,
 
Rudolph, red noses and radio tunes,
rejoicing at midnight, napping by noon,
 
Shepherds and stockings, and last minute shopping,
snow drifts and shovels to get everyone hopping,
 
Tissue paper and travel and toasting and trees,
tinsel and toys and down on our knees,
 
Unwrapping presents and unselfish deeds,
uncles who love us and help with our needs,
 
Visions of candy canes that dance in our heads,
velvety blankets that cover our beds,
 
Watching holiday movies with tears in our eyes,
wishing and waiting and hoping time flies,
 
X-raying packages at busy airports,
Xeroxing wish lists so we don’t come up short,
 
Yams in the oven alongside the ham,
yeast rolls with butter and auntie’s best jam,
 
Zipping along with zest and with zeal,
zero days left to make an appeal.
 
Santa is coming; I hear that’s quite true,
May all that you’ve wished for be delivered to you.
 
                Merry Christmas!