Chanukah comes but once a year
And with it - a season’s cheer
It’s time to count our blessings fair
And thank our God who’s held us there

A God who in the present way
Teaches us to watch and pray
Who guides us, as the seasons turn
And teaches us to wait and learn

We remember at this time
And give our thanks for love sublime
At look to God, within this year
That we his constant voice may hear

He left His throne in Heaven,
to dwell with man on Earth.
He humbly lay in a manger,
after Mary had given birth.

No fanfare or celebration
to welcome this newborn king.
Just the wonder of creation
as his mother began to sing.

Cattle lowing as the baby slept-
how precious this gift from God.
A treasure so priceless she nearly wept-
not knowing the path He’d trod.

She pondered the angel’s message.
"He’ll save his people" is what she’d said.
Not knowing the pain this would bring her-
gently she kissed His downy head.

Baby Jesus had always been king,
but selfless he abandoned his throne,
to give his life as a sacrifice-
taking our sins on as His own.

From the manger to a cross
God became a mortal man.
Our gain became His loss-
fulfilling salvation’s plan

Bethlehem a city small,
known to God and people all.
Jesus born there, King of Jews-
all creation hears the news.
All of creation will bend their knee
to this God turned man who died for me.
Hail, King Jesus, glory to the Lord.
He is worthy to be praised and adored.
Holy Trinity, three in one.
Father, Spirit, Blessed Son.

Bethlehem upon a hill.
Bethlehem where stars stood still.
Tiny city that no one knew-
now the entire world keeps their eyes on you.
Watching and waiting to see what's next.
What more is about you in the Bible's text?
David's city, you filled Gods heart-
you stood quite tall and played your part.
You welcomed in God's own son.
You alone can claim that one.

Did you close your eyes
Or just look away?
With sanctimonious lies
You asked us to stay

You collared us again
Like sheep in a pen
We too closed our eyes
Again and again

Where do we stand?
Where do we kneel?
Confess to whom?
This is all too real

Take your host
Take it now
Place it on your tongue
Don’t forget to bow

He could have been a mystic, with his dun robes and sharp beard,
Turban of brightest yellow, slippers of deepest blue.

The rug on which he sat was every color, striped,
Rippling in the lack of a breeze the did not need to exist.

But there was no crystal, and how else would an oracle see?
Nonetheless, as we passed, his eyes opened:

Bluer than his slippers, piercing as crystal themselves,
And he said in his voice that did not deign to be heard
By any but his intended listener:

"It will be you..."

And he closed eyes.

Dim and distant stars
light up mesquite and cactus.
Coyote skulks and hunts.

Dim and distant stars
reflect in ice-rimmed waters.
Herons tuck their heads.

Dim and distant stars
shine above an empty sea
washing tropic sands.

Dim and distant stars
remember Bethlehem nights
and the angels' song.

Take me back to a magical Christmas–
a time when the day was a celebration
of love and faith, rather than
a gluttony of goods.

Give me the mouth-watering smells
of fresh-baked cookies
and the outdoorsy
scent of real pine.

Let me feel the crisp, clean air
and Winter’s first snow.
Make me special today
and through the new year.

Wrap my soul in mistletoe
and shower it with kisses.
Santa arrives at midnight
with Rudolph to set his pace.

Sew me a garland of popped corn
and set the lights to blink a merry tune.
Christmas must not be limited
to just one day per year.

Holiday cheer sparkles a smile
that contagion passes on.
Let me pour you a cup (or two)
to lift your spirits high.

Forever peaceful memories
of family, prayer and hope.
Another year to love
and minutes to forgive.
Be now the time for joy
with friends both near and far.
Candles light the way
in neighbors’ pleasant windows.
Outside, children sing carols
you forgot the words to;
still you hum along.
“Silent night, holy night”
makes your heart weep.
Church bells sound on Christmas morn
to bring the towns together.
Presents wait under the tree.
There are more important gifts.
Coats and hats walk by each other
a little friendlier today.
Not because the snow falls softly,
or because the air is crisp.
The reason is the knowledge
His birthday happens this day.
So today and months from now,
feel the warm embrace.
This one not from friend or family
but from your faith within.
Remember who you are
and who you wish to be
When love lives in your mind,
there lives Christmas in your heart.