Of Christmas past, with sweet recall,
I try in vain to know.
'Tis kinder not remembering,
Let thoughts of childhood go.

You shine atop the highest bough,
With dreams of what has been.
Near Daddy, baby sister Claire,
And others' best loved kin.

I gaze in wonder at the tree,
Ablaze this Christmas eve.
Recalling memories long forgot,
Life's tapestry to weave.

Wherever you have gone now, Mom,
I pray it's good and kind.
A part of you remains with me,
Deep etched upon my mind.

You live in everything I am,
In all I say or do.
In terrors dark or sunny smiles,
I'm still a part of you.

You gave me life, the greatest gift,
One night so long ago.
I hope your Christmas shines as bright
As candles on the snow.

I hope your gifts are finer far
Than worldly gifts can be,
Please send me just a little love
From your great Christmas tree.

Love,
Sharon









I often wish that I could find
That special place that's home.
I dream of going home some day
When I feel so alone.
I can't get there by bus or plane,
Don't even know the way.
But I'll be going home this year
To spend my holiday.
For home is not a town or state,
The place I got my start.
It's loving warm security
That lives within my heart.
I'll pack a secret treasure chest,
And put in all the best.
I'll fold up happy memories,
And know I'm truly blessed.
I'll light a little candle there,
And feel true Christmas joy.
I'll see the wonder in the eyes
Of every girl and boy.
And from my secret Christmas home
I'll sent this wish for you:
That peace and joy may light your life,
And last the whole year through.

Happy Holidays!
Sharon









Snow that falls on Christmas Eve
is lovelier than other snow,
and has a greater gentleness,
almost as though
it were a fleece that angels spun
to swaddle Mary's newborn son.

Stars that shine on Christmas Eve
are brighter than all other stars.
It is as though Love looks through them
beholding mankind's many scars,
and signals: Do not be forlorn.
To you, this night, a child is born.

The songs we sing on Christmas Eve,
how beautiful they are, and dear.
They link the present with the past
and bring the holy angels near.
Like joyous pilgrims, led by them,
our hearts arrive in Bethlehem.









I was born to the world on Christmas,
but I have existed since the beginning.
I am the gift of God.
I was gift-wrapped with the soft,
tender body of a baby.
My ribbons were streams of divine light.
I was placed under the tree of truth,
and opened through the seeking of it.
I am given and received.
I am the Spirit of Christmas.
I am not the Christmas carol,
but the urge to sing it.
I am not the present,
but the act of giving it.
I am not the town of Bethlehem,
but the creation of it.
I am not the world,
but the reason behind it.
I am your natural state of being.
I am here.
I am Love.









Blithe music from a Christmas harp
Strung with a thousand strings
Sent echoes through the centuries
With sounds of higher things.

Its music swelled in Bethlehem
Crescendoed with a birth
Behind a worn old stable door
Would chance to change the earth.

As from some deep, unfailing source
The wonder of that song!
A harp that holds a thousand strings
Could keep its tune so long.









There is a glory and a glow
in Christmas decor.
There is much the same kind of show
glowing in me.
I let it grow
and thank God more.

I look into myself and see
the tinseled joy
I find in a Christmas tree,
providing yuletide mystery
for girl and boy.

Silver, gold, blue,
All are inside my colorful mind.
Where I go they will abide
peace, love, kindness
for others to find.









I made my Christmas wish tonight
'mid flickering candles and carols sung.
I wished for the vision to see the light
through the eager eyes of the very young.
I asked for their hope, which no force defies
as they wait for the day of the holy birth.
For the trust and belief in every child's eyes,
I wished for joy and peace on earth.

My Christmas wish was answered tonight
'mid flickering candles and carols sung.
I felt the power of the light
as I stood and watched with the very young.
Each star was a promise from skies above,
each shadow a hovering angel's wing.
Through the eyes of a child, I learned it is love
that reflects the light of the newborn king.









Every time I look deep
into the star-bright night,
Christmas is there.
Every time I feel
the soft tenderness
of a newborn baby,
Christmas is there.
Every time I hold out
my hand to receive,
hold out my hand to give
a gift, any gift,
Christmas is there.
Every time I pray peace
out into the troubled world,
the spirit of Christmas
flows out with a prayer.
Love and joy and peace -
wherever these three abide,
Christmas is there,
a gift for all the world
forever.









Make every day a holiday!
Celebrate the sky.
Celebrate the trees and grass,
the bees and butterflies.
Celebrate the birds that sing
and flowers that smell so sweet,
the sun up high above your head,
the earth beneath your feet.
And celebrate the smiles you see,
the cheerful words you hear.
Celebrate each moment
that you spend with loved ones near.
Celebrate the happiness
that friends are always giving.
Make every day a holiday,
and celebrate just living!