Christmas Poems for Everyone
By Isabel Garner - © Copyright, all rights reserved

This little book of 

good wishes to all 

covers serious thoughts,

rhymes for the kid in us and

"put-in-the-name-of-choice"

for fun.And a couple more.

Thanks to Conny for typing it

and to Jack for listening.

Have a very Merry Christmas,

December 2012.  Isabel

Part 1 - Serious Thoughts


Names

Some people call it "the season"
Others "the Holidays"
Agnostics ever disdain it
Vacillators constantly sway.
But think of the meaning of season.
One: Salt and pepper and spice.
Two: Lots of rainy-time weather.
Three: Set times for games we think nice.
"Holiday" covers the gamut
From King, Jr. to 4th of July.
Each really great in its memory
From parades to homemade cherry pie.
But CHRISTMAS to most is so special
It causes our hearts to respond.
To rejoice in the birth of the Savior
And have faith that the world will live on.
There's joy in the meaning of family.
Our own and the world all around.
So we'll call it Christmas. And live it.
May its spirit abound and surround.


 Hope

The moon shines bright on Christmas Eve
At least we hope it will
To guide the way as reindeer fly
Crossing ocean, plain and hill.

The light will shine on Pakistan
Where often hope is dark.
The beams will light up corners
In places often stark.

Man's inhumanity to man
Unrecognized by some
May take a twist for good or ill,
It's where you're looking from.

The Christmas message isn't Santa,
Nor reindeer, candy or fun.
It's what you do for your fellow man
The dirty, disagreeable ones.

It's not our way to seek them out.
We hope we'll see them NOT.
But in this struggling world we've made
It seems it's what we've got.

If we all try together
To let those moonbeams shine,
Perhaps THE MIRACLE will occur
PEACE IN OUR GRANDCHILDREN'S time!!!


Christmas Carols

There's peace to singing Christmas carols
They seem to lift the heart.
The melody, memories and the words
All congregate and start
A stream of songs we've known so long,
The words all held so dear.
Bringing reminiscent Christmasses
Of many bygone years.
Words of bells and ringing chimes
Announcing Jesus' birth.
Word telling of The Miracle
And coming Peace on Earth.
Magi, Shepherds, Kings and stars
In beautiful melody.
The stable, cattle, doves on high
And songs of Christmas trees.
We don't sing carols anymore
With children in our schools,
All forbidden.Story hidden.
Why do we obey those rules?


The Story Never Changes

Christmas is for children
It's said loudly every year
Children want the toys and noise
And bedlam very near.

If that is the whole story
There's been a big mistake.
Adults love the Christmas glory
And meaningfully partake.

They know about the journey
To get to Bethlehem.
No comfortable place for birthing,
Just pay your tax to them.

The story never changes.
It's on a slow refrain.
Go back. Pick up the scripture
And read it once again.

The hardships and attitudes that night
A shed-like structure there,
Donkeys, cows, sheep and doves
All were more aware
Than any near-by person
Who might have shown a care.

The shepherds saw the star so bright.
It led the Kings' pathway,
Lighting up their journey
To where the savior lay.

He lay swaddled in a manger
The sheep's wool cradling his head.
The doves cooed a lullaby
The donkey watched the stead.

The cow said rather humbly,
"My manger is the bed
Of the Lamb who's come to save the world,
If the world will all be led."

For all the generations
We've heard the story told.
Has it really ever hit our hearts?
Or is it brass instead of gold?


The Stocking

The stocking lay stuffed into the box
When it felt a little jiggle.
The box was set upon a table.
Then the stocking was clearly able
To hear some children giggle.

"Look at this old Christmas sock!
It's faded, holey and old.
Nobody wants to hang THIS one.
Even Santa would say it's done
It's best for years all told!"

The stocking tried to stretch a bit
To show he still could hold
Anything that Santa could bring.
Eversinglesinglething and
It had stories to be told.

Stories of the family from:
Gramps to Cousin Lee,
To Great-Uncle Bob
Who used to hobnob
With British royalty.

That Christmas stocking watched it all:
Too many eggnogs and too many toys;
Back from wars, at school, at work
Christmas stocking never shirked.
It hung for years of joys.

The family grew a new generation
That liked new and shiny bright
Stockings of velvet and curly lace,
Could bring a smile to any face,
And seemed to be just right.

Six beautiful stockings hung in a row
When Great-Grandpa entered the scene.
He looked at the stockings and gave a shout,
"Send those new gaudy stockings out!
I want my old one where it's been."

Five beautiful stockings in a row.
One old one hanging, too.
"That stocking holds my Christmas life.
Memories of my children and my wife.
I'll NEVER replace it with new."

The family learned a lesson that day.
True, the stocking was old.
Like silver, the new ones were nice to see.
Made the mantle look very Christmassy.
But the old onelike old friendswas gold.


For Christmas 

Bethlehem was busy.Packed with folks
That came from far away
On foot and camel to this place.
Their taxes they must pay.
Every place was crowded out.
No inn with vacant room.
No caring faces, loving smiles
The feeling was of gloom.
Young Joseph was among the crowd
With him Mary, sweet and mild.
The trip had quite exhausted her
For she was great with child.
Yet no complaint: no tears, no fear,
As they went inn to inn.
People laughed and sent them away
No room for them within.
Joseph caringly told Mary,
I'll find shelter for you.
God's son, our son will soon be here
And to him we are true."
Joseph saw a humble shed
And asked if they could rest
Until Mary could travel.Just awhile
They'd leave soon. Lest
That Baby would appear in that shed
It didn't seem quite right.
They didn't even notice that
A star was shining bright.
Joseph helped Mary off the donkey
She lay down on some hay,
Exhausted, knowing very soon
The Babe would make his way.
The cow stood looking peacefully
And softly mooed these words,
"My manger is for you to use,
I'll smooth the hay." They heard
Another voice say lovingly,
"I'll fill the empty spaces
With wool from my coat you'll be warm."
Another voice said, "Places
Need to softer be. But thank you, Mr. Sheep.
I'll add my down on top of all.
I can help tho' I am small."
Time passed very quickly by.
The animals stood the guard
Over Mary and soon Jesus, too.
Then sounds in the barnyard.
That star that shone so brightly
Brought the shepherds in.
Their flocks stood by so quietly
While they all knelt within.
That star had guided three great Kings.
They followed from afar
Not knowing what trip's end would bring
Knowing promise of that star.
Their gifts were offered to the Lamb.
That swaddled little one.
The dove cooed, "He's the Lamb of God.
The Saviour.He's God's Son."
So in that humble little shed
With animals as guests
The light of all the World was born.
God in us did invest.
And even though the story's old
Every year it's new.
Every year it rings the thoughts
That ever are so true.


Christmas Bells 

Christmas is the time for bells
From large to very small.
Some are brassy; others tin.
Some sound like angels are within.
Some have no tone at all.

Some bells hang upon the tree.
Some hang upon the wall.
Some sound like raindrops on the roof
Or reindeer pawing tiny hoof.
Some have no tone at all.

Church bells have a lovely song.
They play hymns we recall.
We stand on curb and hum along
The words we sing are often wrong.
Some have no tune at all.

So it is in fragile life.
We go from spring to fall.
We don't glance back to hear the ring,
We'll hear it when the angels sing.
If we're where we belong.


Part 2 - Kids' Fun

Shined

Santa had a fine new suit
All wooly warm and red.
He said, "My new warm suit
Is too fine for my old sled."

"My old sled needs a coat of paint.
It needs its brass to shine.
The runners have a rusty look,"
Dear old Santa whined.

"I might have to get a van
If Rudolph can lead us on
Cause my sleigh is in bad shape.
I think it's nearly gone."

The runners got the rust off,
The elves worked hard at it.
They shined all the brass to gleam.
It shined like it was lit.

Santa went out to the barn
And saw what they had done.
He smiled and climbed up on the sleigh.
It looked like a new one.

"We'll travel all the world in this
When Christmas Eve is here.
New red suit, fancy sleigh.
That's how we will appear."

So look for Santa on your roof
Or maybe in your house.
He'll be a little hard to find.
He's quiet as a mouse.


The Forest Christmas Tree

Standing in the forest was
A five foot Christmas tree.
It was growing in the shadows of
Tall trees that meanfully

Declared it short and stubby.
Its arms were spin-di-ly.
It had no limbs to decorate
For everyone to see.

The tree stood lonely and waited
And soon it came to be
A home for birds and animals
To snuggle in safely.

Cardinals, owls and mockingbirds
Nested secretly,
Squirrels found an empty niche
To rest on comfortably.

One winter day a man appeared
His ax held visibly.
He planned to chop the critters' home
To sell for a Christmas tree.

"Stop," cried all the little birds,
Wings flapping excitedly.
"This is our home.We all live here!
It's where we're meant to be.

The tall trees watched the man begin
Tree chopping wildly.
They shook themselves and cones hit him
From head to knobby knee.

They smacked his head, his face, his arms.
The ax his hands did flee!
The man was bruised and saying this,
"Why me? Why me? Why me?"

The creatures sang a song of thanks
And looked around so pleased.
They, themselves, looked beautiful
Decorating their little tree.


The Red Nose Reindeer

Rudolph had a shiny nose,
It got him into trouble.
It went where it did not belong.
It lit his way through rubble.

He was full of curiosity
Always wondered WHAT and WHY.
He's snoop in Santa's business.
And often he would try .

To hear phone conversations,
To read Santa's private mail.
He didn't need a light to snoop
His nose would never fail.

The other reindeer didn't like
His sneaky ways of doing,
So when they saw him snooping
They always did loud boo-ing.

One dark night in December
His nose gave him away.
It was shining in Santa's window
As night was nearing day.

"Rudy are you spying on me?
That really makes me mad.
I'm taking back your nose battery.
Go think about the light you had!"

Travel was a little slow
On Christmas Eve that year,
Without that bright red nose to lead
And show the way was clear.

Vixen and Comet had lanterns
Attached to the leading rope.
The other reindeer had flashlights
So they all could cope.

Christmas, they agreed, was a pleasure
Despite Santa's cell phone calls
Saying he missed a few houses.
Rudolph felt worst of all.

"Santa," he said, "I am sorry.
I have given no trust not tact.
If you'll give back my red nose I promise
I'll really clean up my act."

Santa is such a forgiving old man.
Loaded with kindness galore.
He welcomed him back to the family
And Rudolph behaved evermore.


Santa's Leg

One evening before Christmas
The TV news was on.
The prediction was a snowfall
Before another dawn.

Way up at the North Pole
The elves lined up the toys,
The games, the clothes, the candy
All for good girls and boys.

Santa hurried to the shop.
He went to get sleigh bells.
He didn't see a patch of ice
He SLIPPED, then DOWN-HE-FELL!

"Santa!Santa, please get up!
You've got snow on your shirt.
Come on Santa! Up you get!
You know Santa can't get hurt!"

Santa's face got very pale,
He could not move his knee!
"If I can't drive that sleigh tonight
WHO'LL make delivery?

All those children hope that I
Will never let them down.
I never have!I never will!"
He said with a big frown.

The elves were shouting loudly.
They were crying, so upset!
Their voices carried across the sea,
And even farther yet.

But people heard the message WRONG,
They didn't understand it.
And so the TV newsman said
That Santa Claus was stranded.

They said his leg was broken off!
Reported he was THROUGH
Bringing toys on Christmas Eve
As he always used to do.

The children cried across the sea.
They sobbed in Argentine,
In Canada the music stopped,
It was a sad world scene.

Santa loaded up his sleigh.
He bandaged up his knee.
He took his magic cell-phone
And said, "LISTEN TO ME."

"This is Santa calling you,
To tell you I'm okay.
My leg is better really fixed.
I'll visit you today.

All round this world was heard
A loud and happy cheer.
Santa WOULD be visiting
As he did every year.


A New Santa

Christmas is coming
Old Santa's getting fat
His red Santa suit is tight,
He doesn't like that.

Mrs. Santa said out loud,
"A diet's what you need.
Just plain old fruit and veggies,
Or maybe reindeer feed."

Santa thought he looked just fine.
With buttons pulling loose.
But reindeer can't pull a fat man.
Santa was being a goose.

"Santa, can you see your toes?
Your belly's in the way.
You need to start your diet
RIGHT NOW, this very day."

Poor dear Santa's hungry.
He can't have any bread.
Or cookies, cakes or popsicles,
This diet thing he dreads.

We'll check back in a month or two.
We wish him all the best
In sticking to his diet
And giving food a rest.

Look at him!In three short months
He's singing as they fly.
Santa's forty pounds thinner!
Such a handsome guy.


Santa's Garb

Santa said, "I have some friends
I seldom see anymore.
Last time I saw them brought debate
Because of what I wore.
Hans thinks Santa should wear wood shoes
Because he must be Dutch.
Angus says a kilt's the garb
though it doesn't cover much.
Paddy says it must be green.
Olaf has it right.
He says warm and red's the thing
For Christmas Eve at night.
Takako says kimonos
Are one hundred percent silk
And look so much more festive
Than things of other ilk.
Juan says wear sombrero.
Cindy says to shave!"
When Santa got a razor
Mrs. Claus just raved and raved!
"Santa, dear, just be yourself.
You represent the world,
The love of family, love of all
Where'er the flag's unfurled.
What you wear we recognize as
Symbol of the season.
You bring much joy to hearts world-wide.
You don't need another reason.


Priscilla Baby

There was an old lady named Annie
Who lived in a little white house.
She had a white cat named Priscilla
She dressed her in a frilly white blouse.

Priscilla did not like the dressing
She wanted to be a plain cat.
So one Christmas Eve she told Santa.
He said, "I can take care of that."

He went to his sleigh and told Rudolph,
"Shine your bright nose over here,
I must find a beautiful dolly
So Annie can make her appear.

Beautifully dressed in white dresses
With sweaters and scarves to go on.
I think Annie likes white for a color
Though to me it is quite pale and wan."

Annie woke up in the morning
Saw a beautiful doll by the tree
"My goodness," said Annie quite loudly.
"I hope that big doll's not for me.

I don't want to dress a dolly
I already have a cat.
Priscilla, come get your white blouse on."
"And that," said Priscilla, "is that."


Part 3 - Interactive

Christmas Eve Notes

Every year on Christmas Eve
Santa got a treat.
__________'s mother baked a cake
Just for him to eat.
But last year Santa left a note
Suggesting that she make
A treat for all his reindeer, too
When she began to bake.
"Be careful what you put in it.
Rudolph can't eat meat.
And fish makes Dancer slip and fall.
He's clumsy on his feet.
Dasher breaks out in a rash
From any kind of eggs.
Prancer watches calories.
He doesn't want fat legs.
Vixen's fond of chocolate chips,
Cupid, NOT-at-all.
Perhaps some mashed asparagus
Cupcakes would please them all.
Please don't put in any salt.
Eliminate all peas.
Rye bread would be just the thing
Donner and Blitzen to please."
When next Christmas rolled around
Santa found this note,
"Dear Santa, Here's a thought for you,
WHY DON'T YOU GET A GOAT!"


The Flu Fixers

Santa had a fever
It seemed to be the flu.
Christmas Eve was tomorrow night
With flu we must be through.

He called his elves to join him.
He asked them for a cure.
Said ____________ Elf, "Dear Santa,
Drink cider vinegar, pure."

"No! No!" said _________ Elf,
Eat banana peels
Then the flu will slide away"
Said __________ Elf "the cure for you
Is to stay in bed all day."

"If you mix the juice of onion
And lemon with green tea
It will ""No! No! Santa" roared ______ Elf,
"Listen only to me."

All the elves were shouting
"I can cure the flu."
"My Elfin Granny knew it all"
"They don't have a clue."

So dear old Santa tried them all.
They didn't have much power.
He got well when Mrs. Claus insisted
He drink orange juice every hour.


Do it up Right

The sun was shining in St. Augustine
the day before Christmas Eve
In __________'s house the tree was up
Hot cider made for all to sup
And mom prepared to leave.

"I'm going to go to Publix" she said,
"For our Christmas dinner supplies."
She told her sons to clean their rooms,
Then toys in order, they'd have room
For any Santa surprise.

________ and _______ quickly started.
Got toys out from under the bed.
The hamper soon held dirty socks,
Books and puzzles in a box
Biggest brother ________ said,

"Little brother _______, look at you.
You put everything on your bed.
Then you covered it with the blanket,
Mom will not say thanks for it.
Put it away right instead."

When mom came home surprise!
Their rooms were Santa straight.
Everything neat; couldn't be beat.
Santa would think it first rate.


 Christmas Wishes

Christmas was just two days away,
The tree with lights was glowing.
The Kitchen baking was nearly done,
School kids were out having fun,
And now outsidetwas snowing.

________ was getting worried.
He had no gifts at all.
Nothing for mother.Nothing at all.
She wouldn't want a basketball
And she already had a cell phone to call.

________ spent all his money on
movies and TV games.
Now he had NOT ONE dollar
Can't afford a doggie collar
He just doesn't feel the same.

"I wish I could get Dad a shirt.
I saw them at the Mall.
Shirts cost more than shoes or socks
Maybe I can buy ONLY the box.
His feet are LONG, He's tall."

I saw a fancy tool box.
It could fix anything you need.
But our dad's not very fixy
Clogged drains and broken tricksies
Are not his noticeable need.

__________ and ________ decided
That they would make a book
Showing what they'd get each one
If only they had dollars for everyone.
At least they could look.

__________ wrote the stories.
__________ did the work of art.
They told of fun and family time,
Laughed at drawingsthen claimed as "mine"
________ and _______ happy they did their part.


 Santa Saved

Santa got an urgent call.
"Santa, come here quick!"
"It was Rudolph on the cell phone.
He said, "All the elves are sick."

"Sick?" asked Santa, "My elves are sick?
Did they eat too much cake?
I told them not to eat too much
They'd get a tummy ache."

"Santa, dear, I think it's worse,
They're covered up in spots.
Red and green and blue and white,
They have lots and lots and lots."

Santa sat down on a chair
He had lots to think about.
He'd have to get new helpers.
To get the toys all out.

Tomorrow night was Christmas Eve
Children would be waiting
For dolls and drums and bicycles
And new skates to go skating.

He'll have to try to find some help.
He'll go look in his book.
The one that says "Good Kid or Bad".
Yes!He would take a look.

Maybe I can find some _[last name]kids.
Who'll fit in the elves clothes.
Some would not easily fitand the shoes
Might be too long (or short) for their toes.

Santa found a boy named _________.
He had[color]hair and a smile.
Ah! Here's another, a girl named _______.
She can ride a bike a mile.

Santa needed one more boy
_________ would be great.
Three smart kids to deliver toys.
It would be first rate.

He phoned their mother on his cell phone
He asked if they could go
Right this minute to the North Pole
To learn about Ho-Ho-Ho.

The children got permission.
So they climbed in Santa's sled.
And soon they were in Santa land
This is what Santa said.

"You'll have to hurry and change your clothes
You'll look like little elves.
You'll help me load the sled with toys
You can each have one yourselves."

You'll go with me on Christmas Eve.
We'll stop at every roof
__________ can read what I leave there.
So I don't make a goof.

__________ will hold the reins
So they don't fly away.
__________ can go down the chimney
__________ give the reindeer some hay.

Everyone had a job to do
They all did it right.
The toys all got delivered
On Christmas Eve at night.


Mistletoe

The mistletoe was hanging smart
Above the kitchen door:
Everyone walked under it
In search of food and more.
The table was full-laden with
Peppermints, chocolates, grapes.
Dozens and dozens of cookies
Were cut into Christmas shapes.
Still there hung that mistletoe
Swaying in the air
Sending out these thought waves:
"Get all who pass though there."
The teenage daughter[you name her]
A self-crazed femme fatale
Was smooched there good and proper
By a bad-breathed mutt named Pal.
She screamed and rubbed her lips clean.
But before she got away
She was licked on the chin and eyelid
By a toddler whose nose ran all day.
"Please HELP!Get me out of the doorway!
My kisses I don't want to share.
With every sleaze dog, kid, and creature
Who's going from in here to there."
And so Miss Teen-ager's true nature
Cascaded for all there to see.
If you can't be a sport at a party
Stay away from the mistletree.


Part 4 - Story Poems

A Very Special Christmas Day

Christmas Eve dawned to heavy snow
And icicles on the eaves.
Mothers baking pies and cakes.
Fathers bringing Christmas trees.

Joyous time in the neighborhood
In every home but one.
In Thomas Wilson's home that day
There wasn't any fun.

The father sat with his four sons.
Baby Carol on his knee,
And told them sadly on Christmas Day
There would be no toys.No tree.

"We have no money to buy you gifts.
A tree we'll do without.
Until I find another job
Times will be hard.No doubt."

Thomas said, "We'll make our own!
We ll make it out of snow
And decorate it with foil and stones
And some of baby's bows."

The boys put on their heavy coats
And boots and mittens, too.
Thomas was in charge of them.
He said, "Here's what we'll do."

"We'll pile snow balls very high
And then we'll have to shape it
To look like a real Christmas tree.
It must be firm, Can't tape it."

The boys all laughed and rolled the snow.
It soon began to look
Like a beautiful tree with crystals.
Like a picture in a book.

They made a star of silver foil,
Painted rocks and placed them on,
Tucked in baby's bows beside
Curled leaves from the lily pond.

People passed their house that day
And when they saw that tree
Car horns would honk and arms would wave.
The children laughed with glee.

They did not expect a visit from
That special man in red.
But at least they had a Christmas tree.
"Best in the neighborhood," mother said.

On Christmas day they woke to smells
Of ginger bread fresh baking
And on the table were five oranges.
Put there for their taking.

Thomas said, "We won't be sad.
At least we have our tree.
Let's go out and make some snowmen
To keep it company."

Wrapped again in heavy coats
The boys ran out the door.
There tree was standing proudly
But under ittoys galore!

Each toy was in a plastic bag.
Bags of every size
To keep them dry and orderly
Til found by little guys.

Four bikes, four balls, a stroller,
Four sleds and racer skates,
A bag with shoes and slippers
Each with its matching mate.

One bag had a football suit,
Another G.I. Joes,
Baby Carol's bag had teddy bears,
Dresses and pink hair bows.

Thomas found a special box.
It had a note that read,
"To be opened by your mother.
She cooks the food you're fed."

The children could not lift that box.
It seemed to weigh a ton.
Father and mother opened it in the kitchen.
Mother called, "Come look here, everyone."

Inside in bowls and pans and pots
Was food of every make
Ham, turkey and a pizza box
Fruits, vegetables and cakes.

There was a note attached inside.
This is what it said,
"Have a very merry Christmas Day
From the jolly man in red."

Thomas ran outside to look
To try and see St. Nick.
But all he saw were reindeer tracks
Upon the snow so thick.

Whoa! There was one set of tracks.
Big size boots had walked that ground.
It must have been dear Santa
When he put those toys around.

It was a very special Christmas Day
For ALL the neighborhood.
Other hearts were smiling too.
Because they felt so good.


Benny

You've all heard the storyThey gathered one evening
Of the "night before". And Benny was sad.
The one about SantaTomorrow was Christmas,
And reindeer galore."No gifts," said his Dad.

The one about rooftops"No money for taxes,
And chimneys and such,Or food or car gas.
And toys for the children This Christmas, dear Benny,
Who all have too much.We'll just have to pass."

But not little BennyThe cow said, "All presents
The boy on the farm,Don't come from the store.
That went in foreclosureWhat comes from the heart
And caused such alarm.Is worth doubly more."

The farm wasn't thriving. "Let's all make a Christmas
The cows were all sold. Just like the first one.
All but sweet DollyStart here in my manger
Because she was too old.And make a bed warm."

Two sheep were in hidingThe cow with her horns
Along with a mule,Moved hay to be smooth.
Four hens and a fat goose The sheep lined the bed.
Who thought life turned cruel.Wool filled every groove.

They couldn't leave little Benny.The down from the goose
They all were best friends.Was soft as a cloud,
To be sold at farm auctionImpressing the mule
Would just be their end.Who said quite aloud.

"This bed is for Benny. He looked at the cow
He can stay here with usAnd the sheep and the mule
If his mother and fatherAnd smiled as he told them
Don't raise a big fuss."The new Golden Rule.

So Benny crept in"Do unto others
And closed his sad eyes.The best that you can
He dropped off to sleep A good heart and caring
And he missed the surpriseIs the mark of a man.

A jolly old gent And a mule, sheep or cow
In a suit very redCan share heavenly love
Looked in the barn door,And feel smiles of goodness
Then unloaded his sled. Coming down from above."

There in that old barn
He piled the floor
With canned food and fruit
And crackers and more.


You Get What You Get

One Christmas Eve at ten o'clock
A boy named Bobby Joe
Sneaked out-of-bed and out-the-door
To go find Ho-Ho-Ho.

Bobby Joe was a troublesome lad
His mother said it, too.
He seemed to find the naughty ways
To do what he would do.

He teased the cat and chased the dog.
He NEVER made his bed.
He wouldn't take the trash away
And so his father said,

"Bobby Joe it's Christmas Eve.
Just hours until the roof
Will hold a sleighful of lumps of coal
And tiny reindeer hoofs."

"Coal lumps? Coal lumps? What are they?
Is it a battery toy?"
"No! No! My son," his father said.
"It's a gift for naughty boys."

"Only good boys get good things
The bikes, the bats, the drums,
As you will find if you're awake
When dear old Santa comes."

Bobby Joe stuck out his lip.
His mind was speeding on
To make a plan to get his way.
Old Santa he could con.

And so he trudged on through deep snow
It was very cold and wet.
But he'd find Santa and change his mind.
He wasn't quitting yet!!

He turned the corner on Maple Street
And much to his surprise
A sleigh was on the rooftop!
He let out a loud cry.

"Santa! Santa! Listen here!
It's GOOD BOY Bobby Joe!
Don't listen when they say I'm bad.
They're ALWAYS wrong, you know."

Santa and the reindeer looked,
They saw that smiling face.
Santa shouted, "Go back home!
We'll soon be at your place."

And true to word they soon arrived
Bobby was in bed.
He heard hoofs on the rooftop
And thought about the sled,

And boots and Toys and video games
That would be under the tree.
"Piles of toys and candy," he said.
"And all of it for me."

He waitedtil the sleigh took off,
Then he ran like a flash,
To find the toys but then he tripped,
And caused a noisy crash.

"Bobby Joe, you troublesome lad!
Are you there by the tree?
Did Santa leave you anything?
It sure would surprise me!"

Bobby Joe turned on the lights.
He saw one lonely sack.
It held coal and a note that said,
"Next year we will be back.

If you improve and do what's right,
Then you'll get lots of toys.
I only give them out to very
Good little girls and boys."

Did Bobby Joe stay troublesome?
Did his good manners show?
You'll have to think about that boy.
I don't really know.


Mousey Christmas

Father dragged the Christmas tree
Home one snowy night.
It was so-o-o-o BIG and so-o-o-o TALL.
He and mother had a slight

Discussion about the placement.
In fact if it could stay!
Father won the war of words
In his usual logical way!

He pointed out its shapeliness
Its many piney cones.
The way it sat majestically
As placed upon a throne.

There was one thing he didn't see
Burrowed close to trunk
A mama mouse and mousey twins
Had found a place to bunk.

Away from cold and snow and ice
This place seemed heaven sent
And as they sniffed and glanced around
They knew that they were meant

To stay here for the Christmas-tide
To join in family fun
When all the rest were in their beds
They'd have the house to run.

And run they did!They searched the stove,
Ate crumbs from off the floor,
Went diving in the red punch bowl
THENFOUNDEVENMORE!!

THEY FOUND THE FRUITCAKE
GRANDMA MADE!
It was her point of pride.
They gnawed each fruit and nut to dust.
But then they had to hide

Because the children came in yelling,
"Merry Christmas!Santa came!"
Mama mouse hid on a shelf
Above the window pane.

The twins were not as lucky!
One fell in a stocking tube
And knocked his little head out
On a purple Rubik's cube.

The other twin was grabbed by tail
And swung around the air.
It seemed like hours and hours
As he dangled, hanging there.

Mother shrieked the tree must go
OUTSIDE and ALL MICE, TOO.
The family, though, outvoted her.
IT WAS A BIG ADO.

So half that tree was saved for mice,
The branches holding crumbs
The other half the people half
Had stars and balls and drums.

And tho' she really didn't like it
Mother came to see
It's not the size of the tree that counts
It's the being with family.

Mama mouse agreed with her.
So the families shared the space
And the living spirit of Christmas
Shined on every face.