Merry Christmans, everyone.

[folriva]

Twenty - five Shopping Days Left.


People walk by with bags in their hands.
They look, they smile, as they continue on.
Something in the window they wish they had,
and a child yelled, “Mommy it's Santa Claus.”

There's a special expression on this child's face,
surrounded by garland, glitter, and lights.
I can remember when I was his age.
The world was much bigger back in those days.

He walked so slowly, not sure of his line,
sat on the lap of this jolly old man.
“Name all my reindeer?” the child was asked.
“Peter, Paul, James, Thomas, Matthew,” I thought.

“Twenty - five shopping days left,” I had read.
“Season's Greetings” and “A Happy New Year”,
“Happy Holidays” and “Our Best Wishes” too.
But I did not read, “Merry Christmas to all.”

Walking around with a gift on my mind,
I saw snowmen, carolers and venders.
Reindeers with Santa, gift wrappers, and lines,
but I did not see the little baby.

A new dress to wear on this Christmas day,
a gift for Mom and another for Dad.
“A drink at the office party,” I heard.
But, I did not hear, “A Savior was born.”

The lights are dimming. The doors are closing.
I leave the mall asking, “Where was Christ?”
I think of my children, my wife, my life,
and accept he was there all that time.