Its Christmas time again.
Come to my mind Christmas Days of long ago.
As a child again I enter into the spirit of the Christmas stockings hanging, waiting for gifts.
Passes childhood, and I look down the nearer years.
There rise before me remembrances of days on storm-tossed seas, where waves beat upon my ship.
I recall again the bitter touch of winter over the plains of life.
I also remember the Christmas days ablaze with lights, verdant and fragrant with the evergreen pines, echoing with joyful carols and celestial harmonies.
My recollections are of contrasts like those of life- delight and melancholy, penury and relief.
And the pictures are full of faces, some of which may be seen no more.
I miss the clasp of vanished hands; I crave the sound of voices stilled.
As we grow older and older, there is a note of sadness in our laughter.
The recollection of each passing year brings deeper regret.
Circles are broken, families are separated, and loved ones are lost, but the old world sweeps on.
Others come to take our places.
Smaller hands than mine write letters to Santa Claus and hear the story of Christmas on winter nights.
But, still sparkles the Star in the East.
It pierces through the darkness of shrouding night!
When the clouds bend to kiss His hand, let us not lose our chance.
Let us make this a new birthday of kindness and love that shall endure.
That is the Christmas hope.
Let us give to it the gracious expression of life among men.
And still I feel bad that I haven't any gift to give Him except what I already gave Him -- my heart, my love, my life, and my forever gratitude.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
